The Eurovision Song Contest returns to Sweden this week and the occasion marks the 50th anniversary of the country's first win with ABBA song Waterloo back in 1974
There's speculation over whether ABBA will take to the stage at the Eurovision Song Contest later this week to mark the anniversary of them winning the competition.
This year's contest will be hosted by Malin Åkerman, 45, and Petra Mede, 54, in Malmö. Sweden 's now hosting again after having won for a seventh time last year, equaling the record set by Ireland for the most wins in the history of Eurovision.
It also marks the 50th anniversary of Sweden having won the contest for the first time back in 1974, when the country was represented by ABBA. The band performed Waterloo at the Dome in Brighton, with the UK having hosted that year.
There's been rumours that bandmates Agnetha Fältskog, 74, Björn Ulvaeus, 79, Benny Andersson, 77, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, 78, could reunite for the special occasion. The prospect has however previously been ruled out by Benny.
Addressing the possibility of reuniting on stage, Benny told the BBC last year: "No way!" He added: "I don't want to and if don't want to, they won't go." Björn stated: "We could celebrate 50 years of ABBA without us being on stage."
It's however been teased that ABBA could appear at the Malmö Arena in the form of virtual avatars. The band have a virtual concert residency, ABBA Voyage, which launched at the purpose-built ABBA Arena in London back in 2022.
Martin Österdahl, 50, the executive supervisor of Eurovision, told Deadline recently that the annual contest will be "celebrating" ABBA later this week. Although he reportedly wouldn't disclose any details, a source told the outlet that the tribute will be "something never seen on TV before."
Whilst a source told the Sun that ABBA will be "celebrated big time" in the contest, which will hold semi-finals on Tuesday and Thursday, before its grand final on Saturday. The source teased the preference is for virtual avatars.
The source commented: "The group have made it clear they have no interest in performing again but ABBA's music will be a major part of the event with a chunk of time put aside for a tribute after all the acts have performed."
They added: "Bringing part of their ABBA Voyage show to Sweden is really complex because the tech is very expensive and complicated, which is why they had to build an arena for it in East London. Organisers are racing to try and make it possible but otherwise, a selection of stars, likely all from Sweden, will be singing ABBA's music instead."
Although details about the tribute are yet to be announced, organisers have confirmed some interval acts for the shows this week. They include last year's winner Loreen, 40, who first won Eurovision with her song Euphoria back in 2012.
According to the contest's website, the first semi-final will feature a "show-stopping medley" from former contestant Benjamin Ingrosso, 26. There will also be a performance from Johnny Logan, 69, who until Loreen's victory last year was the only performer to have won Eurovision twice. He won for Ireland in 1980 and then 1987, and was a songwriter on Linda Martin 's winning song Why Me? from 1992. There's also set to be an opening act, United By Music, involving the return of Eleni Foureira, 37, Eric Saade, 33, and Chanel, 32.
The second semi-final is set to unite former winners Helena Paparizou, 42, Sertab Erener, 59, and Charlotte Perrelli, 49, for " the world's biggest sing along". Host Petra is due to perform a musical number titled We Just Love Eurovision Too Much at some point and Loreen will return in the grand final.
ABBA issued a statement last month marking the anniversary of their Eurovision victory. It read: "It's slightly dizzying and deeply humbling to think that millions of you who saw us for the first time in the Eurovision final 1974 have passed our music on not only to one generation, but to several. We see evidence of that every time one of us visits ABBA Voyage in London and it's because of this we can celebrate the 50th Anniversary of that event in the knowledge that our songs still resonate around the world.
"It's difficult to comprehend that 50 years have gone by since the four of us waited backstage for the verdicts of all the juries around Europe at the Dome in Brighton. So what were our dreams during those suspenseful moments or in the chaos in the aftermath of the victory we had secured with the smallest margin in Eurovision history? Four different dreams, no doubt, but whatever they were, however grand, reality has surpassed them, that's for sure.
"Many of you were there from the very start and have followed us ever since - for over half a century! Music you discover and learn to love when you grow up or even later in life has a way of staying with you forever. We share that experience with you and to know that our music has become a constant in your lives is a wonderful thing.
"Throughout the years we have been blessed with the outpouring of love from you, our fans. We feel it and we want you to know that hardly a day goes by when we're not reminded of it. To say thank you for what you're giving us without sounding trivial is not easy and this is not a moment for triviality. It is a happy and at the same time solemn moment and we can only hope that you understand how deeply grateful we are for a long, successful career and for your steadfast loyalty and support through the years. Thank you!"
The Eurovision Song Contest semi-finals air on Tuesday and Thursday from 8pm on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds. Whilst the grand final will be broadcast on the same platforms on Saturday from 8pm .
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