240 Leeds

Welcome to lEEDS

– where industrial heritage meets a bold, modern rhythm.

Step into a city shaped by innovation and reinvention, where grand Victorian arcades stretch beneath glass roofs and historic red-brick warehouses have been transformed into vibrant spaces for shopping, dining, and creativity. In the heart of Leeds, elegant galleries like the Corn Exchange and the County Arcade create a sense of timeless sophistication, while the surrounding streets hum with energy, from independent boutiques to lively cafés and music venues.

Leeds grew as one of the great industrial powerhouses of northern England, and that legacy is still written into its architecture. Old mills and factories line the waterways, their sturdy brick façades now softened by new life and purpose. Along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, the city slows down, with quiet paths, waterside apartments, and reflections that mirror both past and present in the same frame.

Culture runs deep here. The city is home to renowned institutions such as the Leeds Art Gallery and the Royal Armouries Museum, where everything from fine art to centuries of craftsmanship tells the story of Britain and beyond. Nearby theatres, concert halls, and a thriving live music scene ensure that Leeds is always in motion, always creating.

Beyond the city centre, green spaces open up unexpectedly. Parks, riverbanks, and leafy neighbourhoods offer breathing room, while just a short journey away, the landscapes of Yorkshire unfold into rolling hills, stone-built villages, and wide open moorland. It is this contrast that gives Leeds its distinctive character, balancing urban energy with a strong connection to the surrounding countryside.

From the intricate ironwork of its arcades to the quiet flow of the canal and the distant pull of the Yorkshire hills, Leeds reveals itself not in a single moment, but in layers that unfold as you move through it.

Highlights

⇧ Leeds Town Hall

Leeds Town Hall is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, a grand 19th-century building crowned by a clock tower that dominates the skyline. Its neoclassical design and richly decorated interior make it a focal point for concerts, events, and civic life.

Victoria Quarter

The Victoria Quarter is a beautifully restored shopping arcade known for its ornate ironwork, marble floors, and stained-glass roof. Home to designer boutiques and historic storefronts, it blends luxury retail with striking Victorian architecture.

Royal Armouries Museum

The Royal Armouries Museum houses one of the world’s most important collections of arms and armour, displayed across modern galleries at Leeds Dock. Exhibits range from medieval weapons to samurai swords and staged live demonstrations.

Kirkstall Abbey

Kirkstall Abbey is a remarkably well-preserved medieval Cistercian monastery set within a peaceful riverside park. Its towering stone ruins offer a dramatic glimpse into monastic life in the 12th century.

Leeds Corn Exchange

Leeds Corn Exchange is a striking circular Victorian building with a domed roof and surrounding balconies. Today it houses independent shops, cafés, and boutiques, giving new life to one of the city’s architectural gems.

Roundhay Park

Roundhay Park is one of the largest city parks in Europe, featuring lakes, woodland, gardens, and open green spaces. Landmarks such as Tropical World and sweeping lawns make it a popular spot for both relaxation and events.

Leeds Dock

Leeds Dock is a regenerated waterfront area combining modern apartments, restaurants, and cultural venues. Once an industrial hub, it now offers canalside walks and attractions like the Royal Armouries nearby.

Harewood House

Harewood House, located just outside Leeds, is an elegant 18th-century stately home set within landscaped grounds designed by Capability Brown. The estate includes formal gardens, a bird garden, and an impressive art collection.

Leeds Kirkgate Market

Leeds Kirkgate Market is one of Europe’s largest indoor markets, bustling with stalls selling fresh produce, street food, and local goods. It is also known as the birthplace of Marks & Spencer, adding historic significance to its lively atmosphere.

Venue and Presenters

First Direct Bank Arena

A bold, fan-shaped arena at the heart of Leeds, designed to bring audiences closer to the action. Opened in 2013, it hosts world-class concerts, comedy, and major live events. Its steep seating bowl and striking glass façade create an electric atmosphere, making it one of the UK’s premier entertainment venues.

Mel B

A dynamic pop icon and former member of the Spice Girls, Mel B rose to global fame with her fierce attitude and unmistakable voice. Known as “Scary Spice,” she has built a lasting career as a television personality and judge, bringing bold energy and star power to every stage she steps on.

Paddy McGuinness

A charismatic comedian and presenter, Paddy McGuinness is known for his quick wit and warm, relatable humor. From stand-up stages to hosting hit shows like Take Me Out, he has become a familiar face on British television, combining sharp timing with an easygoing charm that resonates with audiences.

Rita Ora

A chart-topping singer with an international edge, Rita Ora blends pop, R&B, and dance influences into a sleek, modern sound. Rising to prominence in the early 2010s, she has delivered global hits while also making her mark as an actress and television judge, known for her distinctive style and confident presence.

Participants

41 countries

from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania will be on stage in Leeds

Returning countries

Cambodia and Turkey

Withdrawing countries

Libya

Returning Artists

14th participation

Sertab Erener / Silver Medallist

13th participation

Slimane Nebchi / 4th place

10th participation

Samanta Karavella / 13th place
Zara Larsson / 2 x GM Champion

7th participation

Angèle van Laeken / GM Champion

6th participation

Rea Garvey / 4th place
Soprano / 23rd place

4th participation

Adi Sose / 18th place
Karetus / 5th place
Leire Martinez / 9th place
ROSÉ / 6th place
Selin Gecit / GM Champion

3rd participation

Ayliva / 7th place
Dadi Freyr / 18th place
Karsu Dönmez / 17th place
Mando / 8th place
Marina Satti / Semi Finalist
Tamir Grinberg / 21st place

2nd participation

Aimei / Semi Finalist
Artur Rojek / 8th place
Daria Zawialow / Semi Finalist
Justice / Semi Finalist
Miro Jaros / 19th place
Naomi Sharon / Semi Finalist
Picture This / 10th place
Softengine / 6th place
Volodymyr Dantes / 4th place

DEADLINES

April 11th:
Vote in the semi finals
Nominate an artist for Global Music Royalty

April 22nd:
Vote in the final and for Global Music Royalty

April 30th:
Submit a song for the next edition

Voting

Give 12, 10, 8...1 point for your top 10
In the final you also have to choose 3 substitutes

Voting forms:
Semi final
Final

Songs & Videos

Dropbox entitled "240 Leeds"

YouTube playlist at TVGlobalMusic

Live Voting

The final
The televote

Scoreboards

The final
The televote
Semi final one
Semi final two

The Result

Countries receiving most 12 points / Liechtenstein and United Kingdom, 5
Countries giving 12 points to the winner / None
Countries receiving points from most juries / Sweden, 23
Highest placing country not scoring a top mark / Sweden in 1st with 10 points from United Kingdom, Germany, Greece, Andorra and Portugal as highest marks
Lowest placing country scoring a top mark / United States in 25th getting 12 points from Iceland

This final moved like a pendulum - steady hands from the juries, then a late surge that nearly rewrote everything.

Act I - The Juries Shape the Summit
The juries built their story piece by piece. No instant leader, no early runaway. Instead, a gradual sorting of contenders as points began to cluster.
Sweden emerged as the most consistent presence. Not always with the biggest hits, but with a steady flow of strong scores that kept it anchored near the top throughout the sequence. Greece followed a similar path, collecting high marks across multiple juries and staying firmly within reach.
Bosnia-Herzegovina took a different route. Where others relied on consistency, it struck with impact - multiple 12s that lifted it quickly into contention. The United Kingdom hovered just behind, quietly assembling a competitive total without dominating any single stretch.
Liechtenstein also played a major role in the jury phase, gathering a high score through repeated strong placements, even if it never quite reached the summit.
As the final jury votes landed, the top looked like this:
Sweden – 101
Liechtenstein – 97
Greece – 91
Bosnia-Herzegovina – 88
Denmark – 88
United Kingdom – 85
Sweden stood alone at the top, but not by a margin that felt decisive. Several contenders were still close enough to turn the story.

Act II – The Public Reorders the FieldThen came the televote, revealed one country at a time from the bottom of the jury ranking upwards.
The opening stretch was quiet. The Netherlands began with just 2 points, and Portugal followed with 0 - a strikingly low return. Several of the early countries received modest scores, enough to reshuffle positions but not enough to reach the front.
The first real movement came when Russia picked up 28 points, a strong early benchmark. Serbia followed with 31, pushing sharply upward from its low jury position and becoming one of the biggest climbers of the night.
As the reveal continued, the midfield gained weight. Germany added 22, Finland 21 and Ireland 20 - solid totals, but not enough to threaten the very top.
Then the focus shifted to the contenders.
The United Kingdom added 34, staying firmly in contention but just behind the biggest televote numbers.
Bosnia-Herzegovina stepped forward and received 38 televote points - the highest of the night. A powerful surge that suddenly made victory feel within reach.
Greece followed with 35, confirming strong public support and keeping the pressure on.
Then came the final moment.
Sweden, already leading after the juries, was the last country to receive its points. The televote: 33. Not the highest of the night, but enough.
There were no countries left to respond. No counters left to play. The total rose to 134 - and the contest was decided.

The Conclusion
This was a final defined by balance under pressure.
Sweden built its position through the juries with consistency rather than peaks. Others relied on moments - Bosnia-Herzegovina with the strongest televote, Greece close behind, and several countries finding late momentum.
But Sweden did something different. It stayed present in both phases.
The televote did not hand Sweden the biggest number - but it gave it exactly what it needed, at exactly the only moment that mattered.
And because it came last, it was not a question. It was the answer.

The Champion
This was Sweden's 45th medal and the 18th of gold. Sweden triumphed the first time in GM01 and the last time was in GM174.
Sweden debuted in GM01 and has now competed 231 times, reaching 184 finals and finishing 100 times in the top 10.
A*Teens' score of 134 points is the highest for Sweden, since Molly Sandén and Will Ferrell won GM174.
Well done Sweden, A*Teens and HoD José who wins for the 7th time.

The Winner

“Iconic” by A*Teens is a bright, high-energy pop track that leans into nostalgia while confidently staking its place in the present. The title reflects a celebration of timeless pop culture and the feeling of stepping into something larger than yourself. Beneath the glossy surface, the song plays with themes of reinvention and longevity, embracing the idea that identity can evolve while still holding on to what made it memorable in the first place.

Musically, the track is driven by upbeat rhythms, sparkling synths, and a chorus built for instant recall. The verses glide along with a light, playful touch before opening into a hook that feels expansive and celebratory. There’s a polished, radio-ready sheen throughout, with production choices that highlight both clarity and momentum. Vocally, the delivery balances group harmonies with individual presence, giving the song both cohesion and personality.

In terms of reception, “Iconic” has resonated with listeners who appreciate a fusion of classic pop sensibilities and modern production. Its infectious energy and nostalgic undertones have helped it find traction across streaming platforms, while also reconnecting with longtime fans. The track reinforces A*Teens’ place in the pop landscape, not just as a throwback act, but as a group capable of refreshing their sound without losing their identity.