The EU flag bunting is out, the United Kingdom is praying for at least one point, and Australia is sending a former Neighbours star to perform. This can only mean one thing: Eurovision is almost upon us. The build-up to this year’s annual song contest has been somewhat marred by boycott calls, but for its organisers, the European Broadcasting Union, the show must go on. Here is everything you need to know about this year’s schedule, including when and how to tune in.
Where is Eurovision 2026 and what happened last year?
The 70th song contest is taking place in Vienna, as Austria won last year with their entry JJ and his track “Wasted Love”. The 24-year-old scored a total of 436 points, putting him comfortably ahead of Israel’s Yuval Raphael, who finished in second place with 357 points, while Estonia’s Tommy Cash was close behind on 356.
When are the semi-finals and Grand Final?
As has become customary in recent years, Eurovision is now an almost week-long affair, with semi-finals taking place days before the main event. Organisers have revealed the impressive staging for 2026. With so many countries now taking part, the semi-finals help whittle down the entries so the mammoth final does not go on even longer, and give us a chance to have a good look at the competition. The only countries who do not need to qualify are the “Big 5” – France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK – as their broadcasters make the biggest financial contributions. This year it is technically a Big 4 as Spain is among the countries boycotting Eurovision over Israel’s continued involvement. Also sitting it out are Iceland, Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands, meaning a total of 35 countries are currently taking part this year. The semi-finals will take place at 8pm UK time on Tuesday 12 and Thursday 14 May, with the grand final at the same time on Saturday 16 May.
How to watch Eurovision 2026
Both the semi-finals and the final will be broadcast live on BBC One, as well as on Radio 2 and BBC Sounds. The BBC is yet to confirm its Eurovision presenting team, but it is widely expected that Sara Cox will replace fired BBC Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills and join Rylan Clark to commentate on the semi-finals, with chat show star Graham Norton returning to provide commentary for the grand final.
