It's Basel dazzle as Eurovision winner crowned tonight

The countdown is on to tonight's Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final as Basel, Switzerland hosts the world's biggest televised live music event.

Six countries, the so-called 'Big Five' of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom, along with last year's winners, Switzerland - have automatically qualified for the final.

The Eurovision in numbers

They will be joined by the 20 others who progressed through the semi-finals held on Tuesday and Thursday.

Ireland was among six countries eliminated during Thursday night's semi-final, with Greece clinching the final spot in tonight's decider.

Eurovision - what's next for Ireland?

Hopes had been high that the Norwegian singer EMMY, representing Ireland with the song Laika Party, would make the final, but it was not to be.

Watch: EMMY's performance of Laika Party in the second semi-final

Those who made it through on Thursday included Austria's JJ (Johannes Pietsch), considered one of this year's frontrunners with his song Wasted Love, as well as the Armenian artist PARG, Denmark's Sissal, and Luxembourg's Laura Thorn.

Watch: JJ's performance of Wasted Love from the second semi-final

Tuesday's qualifiers included Norway's Kyle Alessandro, Albania's Shkodra Elektronike, Sweden's KAJ, and the Ukrainian group Ziferblat.

Sweden now has the chance to become the most successful country in Eurovision history, as it currently shares the record of seven wins with Ireland. This year's Swedish entry, Bara Bada Bastu, is performed by the group KAJ.

Watch: KAJ's performance of Bara Bada Bastu from the first semi-final

Eurovision Song Contest commentator Graham Norton has said that the UK's act, Remember Monday, "have a great advantage in that they are unlike any other act this year" with their song, What The Hell Just Happened?.

"Their vocals and harmonies are flawless, the song has a very strong hook, and the trio are hugely likeable," said the Corkman, who returns to provide commentary for the BBC this year. "With a decent place in the running order, they should do very well indeed."

Watch: Remember Monday's performance of What The Hell Just Happened? in the second semi-final

An estimated 160 million people across Europe and beyond are expected to tune in for the TV extravaganza, and the theme for this year's contest is Unity Shapes Love.

Eurovision director Martin Green said the excitement has built to a fever pitch.

"The staff and crew are exhausted but super happy," he told AFP.

"What energises us all is going to see those artists sing, and you just get this shot of adrenaline. Some of those performances just rip the roof off."

The juries' votes are already in, based on Friday's untelevised full dress rehearsal held in a packed St Jakobshalle.

Though sworn to secrecy on the numbers, Eurovision voting supremo Thomas Niedermayer said this week's semi-finals - when 20 countries progressed and 11 were eliminated - had been "really close".

"It was even much closer than the points make it appear. So it has been an exciting race and it's going to be a close race for the winner."

The Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final, with commentary from Marty Whelan, airs on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player from 8pm.

Here is the running order for the Grand Final:

1) Norway | Kyle Alessandro - Lighter