It is that point of 12 months once more and Eurovision is formally again, but it surely’s not been a straightforward experience.
Eurovision is again for 2026 (Picture: Getty)
The Eurovision Track Contest is again for its annual worldwide track competitors which has been happening yearly ever since 1956, airing on BBC within the UK. International locations submit an authentic track to be carried out stay and compete in semifinals and a grand closing, with the winners determined by each public vote {and professional} juries. The present, which was initially created to unite international locations by music after the second world warfare, has been well-liked ever because it first launched – and there have been some stand out acts and winners.
ABBA’s Waterloo was launched in 1974 on the contest and has typically been dubbed the very best Eurovision track ever, launching ABBA’s world profession. The UK has gained 5 instances and got here second 16 instances, although current years have not been unbelievable for the UK. Sam Ryder did shake issues up in 2022 when he completed in second place along with his track Area Man, which grew to become extremely well-liked after its launch. However will we’ve got it within the bag for 2026? This weblog will probably be operating all weekend, so stick with us to seek out out!
The second Eurovision semi-final is now over. Thanks for following together with us, and keep tuned for the newest Eurovision updates coming from Vienna.
The 2026 Eurovision Grand Closing will happen on Saturday (Could 16), stay from Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria from 8pm on BBC One or BBC iPlayer, hosted by Graham Norton. This 12 months, the Massive 5 international locations (Spain, Germany, Italy, France and the UK) grew to become the Massive 4 after Spain was one of many 5 international locations to drag out of the competitors this 12 months.
Becoming a member of them in protest are Iceland, Eire, the Netherlands and Slovenia. The remaining Massive 4 international locations all have a assured place within the Grand Closing, as does Austria because the host nation and present winners.
The 20 finalists competing within the 2026 Eurovision Track Contest have been introduced (Picture: APA-Pictures/GEORG HOCHMUTH/Shutterstock) 3 days in the past22:20 Bethany Whittingham
Who missed out on the Eurovision Grand Closing?
Throughout tonight’s semi-final 5 international locations misplaced out on their place within the stay closing this weekend. They had been Azerbaijan, Luxembourg, Armenia, Switzerland and Latvia.
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3 days in the past22:18 Bethany Whittingham
Grand closing Eurovision line-up 2026
Right here is the official line-up for the Eurovision Track Contest 2026. Throw your help behind your champions now!
Albania Australia Austria Belgium Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czechia Denmark Finland France Germany Greece Israel Italy Lithuania Malta Moldova Norway Poland Romania Serbia Sweden Ukraine United Kingdom 3 days in the past22:16 Bethany Whittingham
The scores at the moment are in
The outcomes for the ultimate 10 spots within the Eurovision stay closing are in. Performing once more within the grand closing are:
Bulgaria Ukraine Norway Australia Romania Malta Cyprus Albania Denmark Czechia 3 days in the past21:58 Bethany Whittingham
The vote is now closed!
The voting line is now closed. Keep tuned to see which acts have secured their place within the stay closing this weekend!
3 days in the past21:57 Bethany Whittingham
Eurovision hosts face backlash for lip sync routine
Eurovision hosts Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski struggled to wow viewers through the voting interval because the lip synced to the 1982 hit single I am So Excited by The Pointer Sisters. Flocking to X – previously often known as Twitter – viewers shared their disappointment on-line, with one consumer fuming: “The lip syncing is definitely one thing… [face palm emoji].” As one other agreed: “The worst hosts and interval of all time omg.”
Eurovision hosts Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski face backlash (Picture: BBC)
You have got quarter-hour to put your votes now. You possibly can vote on-line by way of Eurovision’s official web site. Votes price 15p and you may vote as much as 10 instances for as much as 10 international locations however it’s a must to place all of your votes in a single go. You can’t vote for the UK, France or Austria who’re all assured a spot within the stay closing on Saturday evening (Could 16).
3 days in the past21:30 Bethany Whittingham
BBC suffers technical blunder as Rylan points apology
Issues took a clumsy flip seconds after Alis completed his efficiency of his track Nân, representing Albania. After his track got here to an finish, Rylan jumped on the voice over to problem an apology to viewers tuning in at residence for the surprising subtitles.
He chuckled: “For these watching with subtitles, apologies for the double subtitles. For these watching with out, you did not sit on the distant.” The presenter went on to offer a shout out to the BSL signers engaged on the present for his or her increible work all through the three-hour occasion.
3 days in the past21:21 Bethany Whittingham
Look Mum No Pc makes Eurovision debut
UK entry Sam Battle, often known as Look Mum No Pc is taking to the stage along with his hit single Eins, Zwei, Drei. The British musician was seen tweaking along with his synthesizer earlier within the present earlier than his high-energy efficiency. He definitely bought the viewers on their toes!
Australian entry Delta Goodrem has taken to the stage along with her hit single Eclipse. Neighbours followers could recognise her from the beloved cleaning soap Down Beneath, the place she portrayed the character Nina Tucker on Ramsay Road between 2002 and 2003.
Delta Goodrem delighted viewers along with her hit single, Eclipse (Picture: BBC) 3 days in the past20:50 Rebecca Jones
We’re over midway by the present
We’re on the eighth entry of the night with Cyprus performing stay on the programme.
The act, who starred on Love Island, is being in comparison with famous person Shakira as they bear a putting resemblance.
One particular person mentioned: “It is true, the Cypriot is virtually a clone of Shakira.” One other mentioned: “Cyprus, Shakira needs her strikes again.”
3 days in the past20:37 Rebecca Jones
The UK goes stay
Our entry, Look Mum No Pc, is at the moment performing their track on the programme, and viewers have lots to say.
One mentioned: “I hope for the UK entry will get 12 factors from Germany #Eurovision.” A second added: “Undoubtedly 0 factors for the UK.”
One other added: “It is official. UK has given up on Eurovision, lastly.”
Somebody added: “Why are the BBC exhibiting this simply earlier than his stay efficiency?”
3 days in the past20:23 Rebecca Jones
Tonight’s operating order:
There are 15 competing acts performing within the second semi-final within the order beneath:
Operating Order Nation Artist Track1 Bulgaria Dara “Bangaranga”2 Azerbaijan Jiva “Simply Go”3 Romania Alexandra Căpitănescu “Choke Me”4 Luxembourg Eva Marija “Mom Nature”5 Czechia Daniel Žižka “Crossroads”6 Armenia Simón “Paloma Rumba”7 Switzerland Veronica Fusaro “Alice”8 Cyprus Antigoni “Jalla”9 Latvia Atvara “Ēnā”10 Denmark Søren Torpegaard Lund “Før vi går hjem”11 Australia Delta Goodrem “Eclipse”12 Ukraine Leléka “Ridnym”13 Albania Alis “Nân”14 Malta Aidan “Bella”15 Norway Jonas Lovv “Ya Ya Ya” 3 days in the past20:13 Rebecca Jones
First up, Bulgaria
Performing first this night was Bulgaria, represented by DARA with the track Bangaranga.
The track brought about a response on-line, with one particular person sharing: “Not the strongest vocal efficiency although regardless of being an absolute tune.”
One other mentioned, “Truly, I like Bulgaria, however I concern it will get actually annoying after like two listens.”
A 3rd penned: “And is Bulgaria’s revamp within the room with us? That is the track that is bought me probably the most confused this season, I do not know if I prefer it or not #Eurovision.”
3 days in the past20:06 Rebecca Jones
Hosts get backlash
The 2 fundamental hosts have been met with one other lukewarm reception this night following their slapstick sketch at first of tonight’s programme, which kicked off on BBC One at 8pm tonight.
One particular person mentioned: “Oh no these hosts are again at it #Eurovision.” One other mentioned: “Christ, these hosts are so painful, even in a parody … # Eurovision.”
The second semi-final for the present has formally kicked off in a terrifying fashion!
3 days in the past19:32 Rebecca Jones
The place you’ve got seen Antigoni Buxton earlier than
Antigoni Buxton is representing Cyprus this 12 months – however chances are you’ll recognise her from a success ITV2 present.
She entered Love Island as a bombshell in Sequence eight in the summertime of 2022 and brought about a stir.
The Cyprus Broadcasting Company (CyBC) confirmed she would signify the nation in Vienna again in November 2025.
The star is the eldest daughter of TV chef and presenter Tonia Buxton.
Antigoni attended Brit College in London which additionally educated Amy Winehouse and Adele.
Antigoni Buxton (Picture: Getty) 3 days in the past18:19 Rebecca Jones
Ouch!
The UK is at the moment on the backside of the percentages at 125/1 to win the competition, in accordance with the bookies. Our entry this 12 months is Look Mum No Pc, whose actual title is Sam Battle.
BetGoodwin‘s Ben Head mentioned: “The UK’s entries have constantly struggled to attach with European audiences, other than Sam Ryder in 2022.
“Though at 125/1, the percentages are towards the UK this 12 months. That mentioned, Eurovision isn’t wanting surprises.
“A shocking stay efficiency and jury vote may throw up some attention-grabbing outcomes. Something may occur.”
Based on betting markets and fan polls, the Finnish entry “Liekinheitin” (carried out by Linda Lampenius & Pete Parkkonen) is at the moment dominating with a win chance of roughly 36%. The track’s title interprets to “Flamethrower,” which is becoming given how a lot warmth it’s producing with its mixture of rock, classical, and dance music.
3 days in the past17:36 Rebecca Jones
Who’s UK’s entry?
The UK’s present Eurovision consultant for 2026 is Look Mum No Pc (actual title Sam Battle).
The BBC introduced him because the entry in February 2026. He’s an experimental digital musician and YouTuber recognized for his DIY synthesisers and high-energy efficiency fashion. He will probably be performing the track “Eins, Zwei, Drei” on the contest in Vienna, Austria, this Could.
4 days in the past16:36 Carly Duffy
How voting works
Folks can provide as much as 10 votes throughout completely different acts and prevents voting for the particular person’s personal nation. Fraud detection measures resembling verifying cost origin is used on this occasion. Each vote has a novel type of identification to permit the system to confirm that the vote was submitted inside the official voting window. The jury has to observe the costume rehersal in full and rank every track from most to least favorite with no ties and no voting for their very own nation. The system will then mix the rankings from all seven jurors into an general end result.
4 days in the past15:40 Carly Duffy
Eurovision star already
Australia’s consultant for Eurovision 2026 is Delta Goodrem and she or he’s already an early favorite to win the seventieth version of the competitors. The singer – and former Neighbours star – has had 9 primary singles all through her profession and will probably be representing Australia along with her track Eclipse. Critiques from the costume reheatsal forward of the second semi-final has already described her as “wowing the group” and “sounding like a winner”.
4 days in the past14:38 Carly Duffy
Who is thru to the ultimate to this point?
Italy, Germany, France and the UK will robotically achieve a spot within the closing as members of the “Massive 5”, sometimes Spain would compete however they withdrew over Israel’s participation. Austria additionally robotically qualifies after successful final 12 months. However who else will compete?
1. Greece: Akylas – “Ferto”
2. Finland: Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen – “Liekinheitin”
3. Belgium: ESSYLA – “Dancing on the Ice”
4. Sweden: FELICIA – “My System”
5. Moldova: Satoshi – “Viva, Moldova!”
6. Israel: Noam Bettan – “Michelle”
7. Serbia: LAVINA – “Kraj Mene”
8.Croatia: LELEK – “Andromeda”
9. Lithuania: Lion Ceccah – “Sólo Quiero Más”
10. Poland: ALICJA – “Pray”
4 days in the past13:28 Carly Duffy
Why can Australia compete?
There have typically been questions on why Australia is ready to compete within the Eurovision Track Contest because it is not in Europe, so why can they?
Australia’s Particular Broadcasting Service is an affiliate member of the European Broadcasting Union.
It first aired the Eurovision Track Contest in 1983 and has broadcast the occasion yearly ever since. The competition is extremely well-liked in Australia too, and after being allowed to participate in 2015, they’ve continued to function ever since.
UK’s entry Look Mum No Pc confronted a clumsy encounter after he was unable to carry out his personal track because of technical points — and one other artist beat him to it. Luxembourgh entry Eva Mrija carried out a stripped-back model of his track as a result of she wished to point out her appreciation for the nation, and the semi-final would be the first time they’re performing stay on stage after each other once more, so let’s simply hope the technical points are all beneath management.
4 days in the past11:38 Carly Duffy
Boy George breaks silence
Boy George addressed his time on Eurovision after his journey got here to a brutal halt on Tuesday evening. He appeared as a visitor performer on San Marino’s entry however the act did not make it by to the primary occasion. Taking to X on Wednesday, he wrote: “If you happen to voted for us, thanks a lot, I used to be unhappy we did not get by to the ultimate however my @eurovision expertise has been fabulous.
“I would not take a minute of it again. Due to @senhitofficial and your entire San Marino delegation. What a enjoyable bunch. We are going to carry out collectively in Milan in July. On the @RealCultureClub present. #funk #love #Italy.”
(Picture: Getty) 4 days in the past11:32 Carly Duffy
Eire’s boycott
Eire is among the international locations boycotting the competition in protest at Israel’s warfare in Gaza. As a substitute of airing the competitors, they are going to be exhibiting a Eurovision themed episode of Father Ted. RTE is among the 5 channels throughout Europe to have pulled out of the seventieth anniversary present in Vienna due to the warfare in Gaza.
Eire, Spain and Slovenia’s fundamental broadcasters mentioned earlier this week that they might not present the competition. The Neterhlands and Iceland additionally pulled out of the competitors however will nonetheless air it.
The second semi-final will probably be happening on Thursday (Could 14) to get it all the way down to the ultimate international locations competing within the grand closing this weekend. The UK will probably be represented by digital singer-songwriter Look Mum No Pc and their track Eins, Zwei, Drei. 5 acts will probably be eradicated from the competitors tonight. The UK, France, and Austria may also seem within the present tonight, however they are going to be going straight by to the ultimate. The international locations performing tonight, who may face elimination, together with their acts and songs embody:
1. Bulgaria – Dara – Bangaranga
2. Azerbaijan – Jiva – Simply Go
3. Romania – Alexandra Căpitănescu – Choke Me
4. Luxembourg – Eva Marija – Mom Nature
5. Czechia – Daniel Zizka – Crossroads
6. Armenia – Simón – Paloma Rumba
7. Switzerland – Veronica Fusaro – Alice
8. Cyprus -Antigoni – Jalla
9. Latvia – Atvara – Ēnā
10. Denmark – Søren Torpegaard Lund – Før vi går hjem
11. Australia – Delta Goodrem – Eclipse
12. Ukraine – Leléka – Ridnym
13. Albania – Alis – Nân
14. Malta – Aidan – Bella
15. Norway – Jonas Lovv – Ya Ya Ya
4 days in the past10:26 Carly Duffy
Find out how to vote
Voting will open simply earlier than the primary track is carried out at Eurovision, it stays open all through the performances and for round 40 minutes after the final track. You possibly can vote as much as 10 instances, however you can’t vote on your personal nation, irrespective of how good chances are you’ll suppose they’re! As for the semi-finals, you may solely vote in case your nation is performing in them, so you will not be capable of vote in all of them.
4 days in the past10:11 Carly Duffy
The place and easy methods to watch Eurovision
You possibly can tune in to the Eurovision Track Contest Semi-Closing tonight (Thursday Could 14) at 8pm, adopted by the Grand Closing on Saturday at 8pm. Within the UK you may tune into the reveals on BBC One. Non-participating nations are additionally in a position to watch the Dwell Reveals regardless of them not airing of their nation because the Eurovision Track Contest YouTube channel will probably be up and operating.
4 days in the past09:55 Carly Duffy
Israel Backlash
There was a variety of backlash over Israel and Eurovision, with Rylan Clark praised after he referred to as out the Israel boycott. The BBC co-commentator opened the semi-final broadcast by telling viewers: “This 12 months Eurovision has confronted one among its most difficult years, 5 international locations have withdrawn following the continued participation of Israel.” Israel’s Noam Bettan’s efficiency of Michelle noticed the Vienna crowd boo loudly and the frustrations stay ongoing from followers. Rylan was praised on X for acknowledging the controversy on air.
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