The 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest officially begins tonight, May 12, 2026, with the first semi-final taking place at the Wiener Stadthalle. This year’s contest, hosted by Austria following their victory in 2025, is marked by significant political tension and a reduced number of participating nations.
The “Boycott Five” and Political Tension
A total of 35 countries are competing this year, but the event is overshadowed by the withdrawal of five nations. Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Iceland have officially boycotted the 2026 contest in protest against the European Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) decision to allow Israel to participate.
- Security Measures: Austrian authorities have significantly increased police presence around the venue, with reinforcements arriving from Germany.
- Protests: Large pro-Palestinian demonstrations are expected throughout Vienna during the festival week.
- Israel’s Entry: Israel’s representative will perform the song “Michelle” during tonight’s first semi-final.
Tonight’s First Semi-Final
Out of the 15 artists performing tonight, only 10 will advance to the Grand Final on Saturday.
Already Qualified for the Final:
- The “Big Four”: United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy (Spain’s absence leaves this group at four this year).
- The Host: Austria.
Current Favorites to Win:
Early betting odds and fan excitement have placed the following countries in the lead:
- Finland
- Greece
- Portugal
- San Marino
Albania’s Entry: Alis with “Nan”
Albania, represented by Alis with the song “Nan”, will not perform tonight. Instead, Albania is scheduled for the second semi-final on Thursday, May 14. Expectations are high for Alis, whose performance has been praised for its traditional yet modern vocal arrangements.
New Voting Rules
Following controversies in 2025 regarding voting irregularities, the EBU has implemented stricter measures for 2026:
- Vote Limits: A strict cap on the number of votes per person has been enforced.
- Anti-Manipulation Tech: New digital safeguards have been added to the voting platform to prevent “botting” or coordinated mass-voting from single sources.
Eurovision 2026 Schedule
| Event | Date | Time (CET) |
| Semi-Final 1 | Tuesday, May 12 | 21:00 |
| Semi-Final 2 (Albania performs) | Thursday, May 14 | 21:00 |
| Grand Final | Saturday, May 16 | 21:00 |
