Austria has claimed victory at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, with 24-year-old singer JJ winning over juries and viewers alike with his song “Wasted Love.” The contest, held this year in Basel, Switzerland, ended with a dramatic vote reveal that saw Austria overtake Israel in the final moments, earning a total of 436 points.
JJ, a countertenor with a rare vocal range more commonly associated with classical and operatic music, delivered a standout performance marked by technical control and emotional depth. His high, haunting vocals distinguished him in a crowded field of 26 finalists. “Love is the strongest force in the world, let’s spread more love,” he said as he accepted the iconic crystal microphone trophy.
This marks Austria’s third Eurovision win, following victories in 1966 and 2014.
Israel’s Yuval Raphael finished second after an early lead in the public vote, despite a performance interrupted by two protesters who attempted to rush the stage. Sweden’s Kaj, who finished fourth, earned attention for a visually bold performance that included an on-stage sauna, while France and Italy rounded out the top five.
The UK entry, country-pop trio Remember Monday, delivered a vocally strong performance of What the Hell Just Happened but received zero points in the public vote. They finished 19th overall — just below last year’s entry from Olly Alexander — though they received 88 points from juries, marking the UK’s highest jury score since 2017.
Switzerland, despite strong jury support, also received zero public points.
The contest was notably open this year, with 11 countries receiving maximum 12-point scores from various juries — a sign of the musical diversity and lack of a clear frontrunner. Ultimately, it was JJ’s blend of modern pop production and classical technique that resonated most with audiences.
Austria will now host Eurovision 2026, with the host city yet to be announced.