This is the running order of the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. These are the contenders according to the bookies.
The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 is already underway. The Netherlands is not participating this year. To help you prepare for the song festival, here are the answers to the most often asked questions. For example, why is Australia permitted to participate? Discover everything you need to know about the Eurovision Song Contest here.
Where will this year’s Eurovision Song Contest be held?
Austria was the major winner in Switzerland last year with Wasted Love by JJ, thus Austria is the host nation this year. In Vienna, a metropolis of over two million people.
When are the Eurovision Song Contest’s quarter-finals and finals?
The semifinals of the Eurovision Song Contest were conducted on Tuesday, May 12th and Thursday, May 14th. The final takes place on Saturday, May 16. The song festival begins all three evenings at 21:00 and may be heard live on NPO 1. Of course, our website includes a live blog that keeps you up to date.
What is the final’s running order of Eurovision 2026?
- Denmark: Søren Torpegaard – Før vi går hjem
- Germany: Sarah Engels – Fire
- Israel: Noam Bettan – Michelle
- Belgium: Essyla – Dancing on the Ice
- Albania: Alis – Nân
- Greece: Akylas – Ferto
- Ukraine: Leléka – Ridnym
- Australia: Delta Goodrem – Eclipse
- Serbia: Lavina – Kraj mene
- Malta: Aidan – Bella
- Czech Republic: Daniel Zizka – Crossroads
- Bulgaria: Dara – Bangaranga
- Croatia: Lelek – Andromeda
- United Kingdom: Look mum no computer – Eins, zwei, drei
- France: Monroe – Regarde!
- Moldova: Satoshi – Viva Moldova!
- Finland: Linda Lampenius & Pete Parkkonen – Liekinheitin
- Poland: Alicja – Pray
- Lithuania: Lion Ceccha – Solo Quiero Más
- Sweden: Felicia – My System
- Cyprus: Antigoni – Jalla
- Italy: Sal da Vinci – Per Sempre Sí
- Norway: Jonas Lovv – Ya Ya Ya 24
. Romania: Alexandra Căpitănescu – Choke Me - Austria: Cosmó – Tanzschein
Who are the bookies’ favourites for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026?
Finland is now the obvious favourite among bookies. The betting shops give violinist Linda Lampenius and vocalist Pete Parkkonen, who perform the song Liekinheitin, a 39% chance of winning. Delta Goodrem is performing well in Australia, coming in second position with a 16 percent probability of winning. Greece rounds out the top three. Ferto of Akylas.
Will Cornald Maas offer analysis for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026?
No, because AvroTros is boycotting the Eurovision Song Contest this year due to Israel’s involvement, Cornald Maas will not comment on the event for the first time in 2013.
So, who will give analysis for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026?
NOS sports reporter Henry Schut and radio broadcaster Jeroen Kijk in de Vegte deliver analysis on the forthcoming Eurovision Song Contest. This is because the NOS is broadcasting it this year, so it will be more accurate. However, Schut added: “But it’s really not the case that I just rattle off the facts and only tell Jeroen what he thinks of a dress.”
Who will make the final of the Eurovision Song Contest?
During the semi-finals, the competing countries vie for one of the 25 final slots. Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom, together known as ‘the big four’, are already guaranteed a spot in the final. This also applies to Austria, the previous year’s champion.
Which nations are boycotting the Eurovision Song Contest, like the Netherlands?
In addition to the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia all withdrew from the song festival.
Who will present this year’s Eurovision Song Contest?
Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski will present the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna this year. Victoria Swarovski, an Austrian singer and presenter of the German version of Let’s Dance, and Michael Ostrowski, an actor, director, and screenwriter, have established themselves in Austria and Germany. They will supervise the shows on May 12, 14, and 16.
Why do ‘the big four’ advance directly to the final?
Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom are already assured of a spot in the finals and do not need to establish themselves in the semifinals. This is because these countries contribute the most money to the organisation each year. These contributions will be recognised with a spot in the final.
How is it possible that Australia participates in the Eurovision Song Contest?
The name of the music festival says it all: the Eurovision Song Contest is a European affair. Yet every year countries that do not belong to the continent of Europe participate, for example, Australia. That country is a big fan of the Eurovision song contest and has been broadcasting it since 1983. In 2012, the Australians were given their own commentator position, and in 2015 they were allowed to participate once on the occasion of the 60th edition. Later it turned out that this was not a one-off at all, because the country has been participating ever since. However, it has been agreed that if Australia wins, the organization of the next edition will go to a European country.
Israel and Armenia are likewise not formally in Europe. Nonetheless, several Asian nations participate annually. This is feasible since they are part of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). This is a partnership of public broadcasters from many nations, particularly those in Europe.
Why is Israel permitted to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest despite the war?
Because of the Middle East conflict, numerous nations requested a vote on Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. This vote never occurred. Taco Zimmerman, CEO of AvroTros, stated: “Beforehand, it was assumed that there would be no vote on Israel’s involvement, yet there was a vote on whether there should be one. Three-quarters of countries were against. I can honestly claim that the EBU does not follow its own guidelines.
There was no vote on participation, which Israeli President Isaac Herzog personally advocated for. Herzog has personally lobbied foreign allies to reject the decision and instead impose new restrictions for nations competing in the song contest in order to calm tensions within the EBU.
Noam Bettan is playing for Israel this season. He performs the song ‘Michelle’ in the first semifinal on May 12th.
