Eurovision Song Contest 2012 was the 57th edition of the annual Eurovision Song Contest . It took place in Baku , Azerbaijan , following Ell & Nikki 's win at the 2011 contest in Düsseldorf , Germany with the song " Running Scared " — marking the first time that the country had won the contest . The contest was held at the newly constructed Baku Crystal Hall , with semi-finals held on 22 and 24 May 2012 , followed by the final held on 26 May 2012 . Forty-two countries competed in the contest — one less than the record number of 43 set at the previous contest , with Montenegro returning for the first time since 2009 , and the withdrawal of Armenia due to security concerns in relation to the ongoing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Azerbaijan , and Poland due to financial concerns
2011 contest
Eurovision Song Contest 2011
Eurovision Song Contest 2012