The final concert took place at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh on 23 August 2018, with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra under their principal conductor Thomas Dausgaard.

It has hosted concerts and events since its construction in 1914 and can hold approximately 2,900[1] people in its recently restored auditorium, which is well loved by performers due to its acoustics.

The hall previously hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 1972 after Monaco, which won the year before, was unable to provide a suitable venue.

[3] According to an earlier statement by Vladislav Yakovlev, the former executive supervisor of the event, Budapest could host the 2018 contest after bidding for the 2016 edition.

[7] The semi-final round returned in 2018, produced by BBC Radio 3 in the form of public chamber recitals, at the Studio of the Edinburgh Festival Theatre on 18 and 19 August 2018.

The judges for the semi-finals are British bassoonist Ursula Leveaux, Spanish percussionist Noè Roderigo Gisbert, Korean pianist Sinae Lee, and the chair cellist and conductor David Watkin.

[8] Albania made their debut whilst seven countries, Belgium, Estonia, Greece, Israel, Russia, Spain and United Kingdom, all returned to the Eurovision Young Musicians in 2018.

[20] During the live shows interval, the orchestra performed "Hedwig's Theme" from the Harry Potter score although this was not included in the televised broadcast.

[21] The winner received a custom-made engraved trophy, a cash prize of €7,000, and a performance opportunity with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in a forthcoming season.

The broadcasters in Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Poland, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, and the UK also livestreamed the contest on their online platforms.