How to host your own Eurovision Bingo party

The goal here is to keep your guests entertained throughout what promises to be a bizarre evening. But first, a little history.

The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition that brings together ‘artists’ from various countries across Europe. It’s been held since 1956 and has become a major cultural event in Europe and of course the UK but for very different reasons. Our European neighbours take the event very, very seriously indeed. For them, Eurovision brings the continent together in a show of ‘love’, ‘unity’ and ‘solidarity’.

For us Brits, it’s a chance to marvel in the po-faced peculiarity of the entire spectacle while cheerfully accepting that our act probably won’t win because, you know, they’re British. Indeed, most of us will enjoy the two hour atrocity through the cracks in our fingers. The phrase ‘so bad it’s good’ immediately springs to mind.

So now that’s out of the way, let’s take a look at the kind of things you need to host your own Eurovision Bingo Party.

Materials needed

Along with a sense of humour and the ability to suspend belief, you’ll need a few materials. Firstly, you’ll need bingo cards. Without them, you’re not going to have much fun. You can create your own Eurovision bingo card using a template or download pre-made bingo cards that feature Eurovision-themed images and ready-made phrases. More of this in a minute!

You’ll also need markers for your guests to mark off their squares as they play as well as a TV or laptop to watch the mess unfold. So make sure that you’ve a good viewing spot with comfortable seating for all of your guests.

Throw in some cushions as well. In addition to being really comfortable, they’re  very effective at covering one’s face during cringe-worthy moments (there’ll be plenty, fear not). Cushions are also excellent noise mufflers  – ideal for smothering laughter not to mention screams of ‘oh please make them stop, please’.

Finally, consider providing snacks and drinks for your guests – the contest is rather long! European themed nibbles is a good shout and might include things like Stroopwafel, Toblerone, croissants and Tops cookies.

Creating bingo cards

There are a few good websites that allow you to create your own bingo cards. This is a great option for lending a personal touch to your Eurovision Bingo party.

You can use a template or download pre-made bingo cards online. Customising your bingo cards with Eurovision-themed images or phrases makes the game even more interesting, especially when it comes to theming.

For example, you could create bingo cards with the flags of the participating countries, pictures of previous Eurovision winners, or phrases like "Key change" or "Pyrotechnics." This is a great way to get your guests in the spirit of the contest and make your Eurovision Bingo game unique.

Rules and gameplay

Before you start playing, it's important to explain the rules of the game to your guests. The rules for Eurovision Bingo are simple. Each player marks off squares on their card as they watch the Eurovision Song Contest. The squares correspond to things that might happen during the contest, such as a country performing a song in their native language or a country giving their maximum points to another country.

To win, players must complete a row or column on their card, or they can play blackout bingo and fill their entire card. To keep things interesting, you can add variations to the game, such as playing in teams or for prizes.

Prizes and rewards

Offering prizes and rewards will incentivise your guests and add a sense of competition to proceedings. Eurovision-themed prizes such as CDs or posters of past winners, is a good option. You could also go for more general prizes such as gift cards or candy. Make sure you have enough prizes for all your guests and consider having a grand prize for the person who wins the most rounds of bingo.

Setting the scene

Setting the scene is important for creating a fun and festive atmosphere for your Eurovision Bingo party. You can decorate your viewing area with flags, streamers, or balloons in the colours of the competing countries..

Hosting a free Eurovision Bingo party is a great way to bring friends and family together for a fun and festive evening of entertainment. With a few appropriate supplies and a little creativity, you can create a unique experience that will keep your guests entertained throughout the night. By customising your bingo cards, explaining the rules and providing prizes and rewards, you can make your Eurovision Bingo party a memorable event for everyone involved.