Edition 22

The twenty-second edition of the **Global Music Festival**​ took place at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, China.  It was the first time the country hosted the contest after China's first victory in the twenty-first edition with the song "Away" performed by G.E.M. - which scored a record breaking score of 226 points.  This edition consisted of three semi-finals which were all launched on the 27 November 2017 and a grand final which took place from the 02 December 2017. All four of the shows in this edition were hosted by Angela Yeung Wing, Jingchu Zhang and Jay Chou - chosen to include a range of models, actors and singers.

Fifty-three countries participated in this edition of the contest.  We saw the exciting debut of Hungary.  As well as, the return of Argentina, Cuba, Poland and Portugal.  Also, a number of countries sadly withdrew from this edition: Canada, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Ecaudor, Ghana, Kosovo, Malaysia, Monaco, San Marino and Serbia.

The power six for this edition were China, Russia, Nigeria, Venezuela, Australia and South Africa -  these were the delegations that placed in the top six from the previous edition.  Their placement in the power six means that they received an automatic place to perform in the final of this edition, while also being allowed to vote in one of the semi-finals in this edition.

Slovakia won this edition with an impressive 196 points, this was Slovakia's first victory in the contest and therefore their best result since their debut.  Also receiving their best results were: Belarus and Norway, who came fourth and seventh respectively.  Also, Costa Rica received their best placement to date with MishCatt - they placed ninth in the third semi-final and were almost given the wildcard for that semi-final.  Unfortunately, a number of countries received their worst placements to date: Venezuela came eleventh in the final with Evaluna Montaner (not a bad result, but it is still their worst placement); Argentina, the Comoros, Kazakhstan and Northern Ireland all failed to qualify for the first time since their respective debuts; and finally, Armenia placed last in the first semi-final receiving a mere 17 points - receiving their worst placing since their debut.

 Slogan
 Venue
 Presenter(s)
 Participants
 Winner

## Participants

* Cuba
* Poland
* Portugal
* Croatia
* Dominican Republic
* Ecuador
* Ghana
* Kosovo
* Malaysia
* Monaco
* San Marino
* Serbia

## ​Pots for the Semi-Final Allocation Draw

The draw to determine the allocation of the participating countries into their respective semi-finals took place on the 27 November 2017.  The forty-seven semi-finalists were allocated to five pots, based on the previous results of each participating country, calculated by the averages of the past results.  Drawing from each pot helps to create an equal split of successful and not-so successful countries in each semi-final to give countries an equal chance of qualification.

Malta, Finland and Ireland were not included in the pots because the head of delegations for the countries are on the admin team and are each in charge of one of the semi finals.  Malta were automatically assigned to the first second semi final, Finland were automatically assigned to the third semi final and Ireland were automatically assigned to the second semi final.

Also, in the semi-final allocation draw the power six nations (China, Russia, Nigeria, Venezuela, Australia and South Africa) were all drawn to vote in one of the respective semi-finals.  China and Nigeria were assigned to the first semi-final, Venezuela and South Africa were assigned to the second semi-final, and Russia and Australia were assigned to the third semi-final.

## ​Odds

The odds for the semi finals were released on the 29 November 2017 by the admins in charge of their respective semi finals, below you can see the odds for the top seven (the predicted qualifiers) in each semi final:

And, below are the odds for the favourites for the final of the twenty-second edition:

  Slovakia
  Hungary
  Belarus
  Finland
  Norway
  Andorra
  Cuba
  Australia
  Venezuela

## Semi Final One

 China and  Nigeria from the power six voted in the semi final, following the allocation draw, as well as the countries participating in this semi final.   Ireland were randomly assigned to the first semi final because the head of delegation for the country is in charge of the third semi final.  After the results were announced the admin team discussed selecting a wildcard entry from this semi final to progress to the final -  Japan were chosen as the wildcard.

## Semi Final Two

 Venezuela and  South Africa from the power six voted in the semi final, following the allocation draw, as well as the countries participating in this semi final.   Malta were randomly assigned to the second semi final because the head of delegation for the country is in charge of the first semi final.  After the results were announced the admin team discussed selecting a wildcard entry from this semi final to progress to the final -  Austria were chosen as the wildcard.

## Semi Final Three

 Russia and  Australia from the power six voted in the semi final, following the allocation draw, as well as the countries participating in this semi final.   Finland were randomly assigned to the third semi final because the head of delegation for the country is in charge of the second semi final.  After the results were announced the admin team discussed selecting a wildcard entry from this semi final to progress to the final - the  United States were chosen as the wildcard.

## Final

Thirty countries participated in the final - the power six, the seven qualifiers from each semi-final and the three wildcards (one from each semi-final).  All fifty-three participating countries were eligible to vote in the final; however, only the thirty countries in the final had to vote.  The running order for the final was announced shortly after the results of the semi-finals on the 02 December 2017.