With over 5 million monthly searches for “Eurovision 2025” in recent weeks, anticipation for the contest is reaching fever pitch. As Switzerland prepares to host the 69th edition in Basel this May, thousands are gearing up to support their national entries. Last year’s event captivated 163 million viewers worldwide, highlighting the global appeal of this musical spectacle.
As fans prepare to support their favourite country, NordicBet, in collaboration with fashion expert Louisa Rogers, set out to discover whether luck might be on the side of certain colours, analysing two decades of Eurovision history to uncover whether specific outfit choices are linked to winning performances.
Black and white are the dominant colours of Eurovision winners
NordicBet can reveal that black and white share the top spot among Eurovision winners’ wardrobes, with each colour worn by 40% of them over the past two decades.
The figures suggest that neutral monochrome choices are closely linked to success at the contest. Overall, half of all winners chose a monochrome palette reinforcing the idea that simple, classic tones offer the highest chance of winning.
Examples include Salvador Sobral, who performed in a minimalist black suit for Portugal’s victory in 2017, and Emmelie de Forest, who wore an elegant white dress during her winning performance for Denmark in 2013.
It may be that simple, understated looks help the audience focus more on the voice and emotional connection, rather than being distracted by a bold performance, potentially boosting a contestant’s chances of winning.
Red shades: Eurovision’s underrated lucky colour
While black and white dominate, red also shows a strong association with winning performances. Although only 15% of winners wore pure red, when including related shades like burgundy, pink, and orange, the figure rises to an impressive 40%, making it the third luckiest colour to win Eurovision.
For example, Helena Paparizou, wore in 2005 gold and orange for her winning performance of MyNumber One. Not to mention the iconic performance of Italian rock band Måneskin, who in 2021 made headlines with their matching burgundy outfits as they quite literally, and metaphorically, set the stage on fire.
This shows that variations of red (from classic scarlet to orange and deep burgundy) are statistically linked to a higher chance of Eurovision success. Looking at softer variations like pink, it’s also worth noting that the latest winner, Nemo, triumphed wearing these tones, perhaps a sign that similar shades could bring luck again in 2025.
Neutral colours are the real winners
Overall, the research highlights how neutral colours are overwhelmingly present in winning Eurovision outfits.
Data shows that an impressive 90% of winners over the last 20 years incorporated at least one neutral tone (black, white, grey, navy, or brown) into their performance look.
Last year’s winner Nemo and Greece’s 2005 winner Helena Paparizou stand out as rare exceptions to the trend, both opting for outfits in pink and orange tones rather than classic neutrals.
In contrast, only 25% chose bright or vivid palettes, while pastels appeared in just 20% of winning outfits. Despite the contest’s reputation for unique performances and flamboyant staging, these figures highlight that a classic, neutral wardrobe consistently correlates with victory.
Metallics, high Impact, lower odds
Metallic tones have featured in 15% of winning performances, making them a rarer but noticeable choice.
Winners such as Conchita Wurst (2014), who wore a striking white-and-gold gown when she won for Austria in 2014 with Rise Like A Phoenix, and Lordi (2006) who broke all conventions by winning for Finland in elaborate monster costumes, who incorporated silver tones. However, compared to neutral colours, metallics are a riskier bet than neutrals.
Other colour trends among winners
Several other patterns emerged from the analysis:
- 10% of winners wore shades of blue, often darker tones such as navy, as seen with Duncan Laurence (2019) and Jamala (2016).
- Shades of brown and grey were present in 15% of winning outfits, further supporting the trend toward neutral palettes.
While no single formula guarantees Eurovision victory, certain trends seem to bring more luck than others.
When fed data from the past 20 years, AI predicts that the 2025 winner will likely be dressed in a sleek, monochrome outfit, most likely black or navy, a nod to the neutrals that have dominated the winners’ wardrobe game for the last two decades.
Looking at past patterns, the contest often alternates between high-energy, colourful acts and more introspective solo performances, suggesting that 2025 may swing back to the latter.
Based on the number of past wins and ongoing online trends, from fan discussions on platforms like Reddit to betting odds, a Scandinavian country such as Sweden or Norway appears to be a strong contender, especially with a polished ballad or atmospheric electro-pop track that aligns with recent winning formulas.
Fashion expert Louisa Rogers adds:
“Eurovision is often associated with the rainbow of queer visual culture, camp, theatricality, excess, and exuberant self-expression.
“The dominance of black, white, and other neutral tones challenges the popular perception that “bolder is better” when it comes to standing out on the Eurovision stage. Black and white offer a kind of visual clarity in a hyper-saturated show environment that is designed to overwhelm the senses.
“They’re high-contrast, easily legible on camera, and timelessly elegant; perhaps performers are using them to create a strong silhouette or to foreground the song and performance itself. Without being distracted by costuming or crazy looks, viewers are more likely to focus on the lyrics and delivery of the song. Monochrome looks, which 50% of winners apparently opt for, also suggest a desire for cohesion and confidence: visually simple, but perhaps deriving their power from exactly that simplicity.
“Ultimately, what might seem like safe colour choices—black, white, neutrals—can be incredibly potent when deployed with intentionality. They let the artist control the frame, while more vibrant or metallic accents can be used sparingly to punch through the visual noise.
“It’s also worth noting that Eurovision isn’t just a singing competition, it’s a very powerful mirror of the zeitgeist. Conchita Wurst’s 2014 gold gown, for example, remains iconic not just because of its glamour, but because it framed a moment of defiance, identity, and transformation for making visible gender non-conforming people.”
