Contest year
- Host City
- Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Venue
- National Indoor Arena
- Final Date
- January 1, 1998
- Entries
- 25
- Notable for major shifts, 1998 was the first contest decided predominantly by televoting, and it became the last year to require all entries to be performed in a country’s own language, as well as the final contest to use a live orchestra.
- Israel’s victory with Dana International’s “Diva” was historic—she was the first openly transgender and openly LGBTQ+ winner—but her selection sparked protests in Israel and led to death threats and heightened security.
- A production delay followed her outfit change, and Spain’s vote was later found mis-tabulated, altering the points awarded.
- via Wikipedia
Presenters
Terry Wogan, Ulrika Jonsson
Israel – Diva 
United Kingdom 
