<Ul> <Li> ← 2017 </Li> <Li> Eurovision Song Contest </Li> <Li> 2019 → </Li> </Ul> <Li> Eurovision Song Contest </Li> <P> The Eurovision Song Contest 2018 was the 63rd edition of the annual Eurovision Song Contest . It took place for the first time in Portugal following the country's first victory at the 2017 contest in Kiev, Ukraine with the song "Amar pelos dois", performed by Salvador Sobral . The contest was held at the Altice Arena in Lisbon, and consisted of two semi-finals on 8 and 10 May, and the final on 12 May 2018 . The three live shows were hosted by Filomena Cautela, Sílvia Alberto, Daniela Ruah and Catarina Furtado . </P> <P> Forty - three countries participated in the contest, equalling the record of the 2008 and 2011 editions . Russia returned after their absence from the previous edition, and for the first time since 2011, no country withdrew from the contest . </P>

Where is the eurovision song contest being held this year