The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 returns for its 70th edition in Vienna, with the grand final scheduled for Saturday 16 May. This year’s line-up features 35 countries, each sending a distinct entry that ranges from intimate ballads to full-scale pop spectacles. The contest will be staged in the Wiener Stadthalle after Austria’s 2026 winner JJ secured victory with the operatic piece “Wasted Love.” Alongside the music and staging notes, the event carries political tension: five nations are not participating in protest of Israel’s inclusion.
Below is a compact, country-by-country guide to the confirmed songs and performers arriving in Vienna. Each entry summarizes the artist, the song’s central theme, and a snapshot of the proposed staging so readers can anticipate the variety on display. This overview maintains the contest’s rules: songs are original, up to three minutes long, and live lead vocals are required under the European Broadcasting Union regulations.
Highlights and context for the 2026 contest
The 70th contest features the typical mix of returning fan favorites and surprising newcomers. Notably, five countries—Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain—have announced a boycott of this year’s show in response to the decision to allow Israel to compete. Israel’s participation remains controversial due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and previous incidents at Eurovision that drew political protest. Meanwhile, as one of the event’s warm-ups, hosts and qualifiers have been confirmed: Austria, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom are automatically in the final as major contributors, alongside the 2026 winner Austria.
Country entries: an alphabetical tour
Albania brings Alis with “Nân,” a song shaped by dreamlike inspiration and focused on migration and maternal love. Australia’s entry is veteran artist Delta Goodrem with “Eclipse,” a harp-backed pop ballad already charting in her homeland. Host nation Austria sends energetic newcomer Cosmó with the dance-ready “Tanzschein,” notable for sequins and lively choreography. Belgium’s representative Essyla performs “Dancing on the Ice,” a post-Olympic pop anthem about youthful determination.
Bulgaria’s Dara offers the genre-blending “Bangaranga,” while Croatia’s five-piece vocal group LELEK mixes folk motifs and modern pop in “Andromeda,” complete with wind machines and flames. Cyprus presents Antigoni and the infectious “Jalla,” a high-energy number that invites dancing. Denmark’s entry is Søren Torpegaard Lund with the emo-tinged “Før vi går hjem,” combining subdued verses and sudden high notes. Estonia revives the female rock group Vanilla Ninja with “Too Epic To Be True,” a polished performance that includes showstopping harmonies and audience interaction.
Northern and smaller delegations
Finland pairs classical and pop with Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen performing “Liekinheitin,” featuring virtuosic violin passages. Latvia’s Atvara sings the ballad “Ēnā” with dramatic glass-shattering visuals. Lithuania’s Lion Ceccah stages a striking, performative act for “Sólo quiero más,” combining glitter, cloak imagery and drag-influenced theatricality. Luxembourg fields 20-year-old violinist Eva Marija with “Mother Nature,” a nature-themed piece that aims for emotional connection.
Rock, metal, pop and theatrical entries
Malta’s Aidan offers the romantic croon “Bella,” polished and melodic. Moldova’s energetic rapper-singer Satoshi performs “Viva, Moldova” with guest vocals from past contestant Aliona Moon to create a party atmosphere. Montenegro’s Tamara Živković brings dramatic dance-pop with “Nova zora,” complete with leather harnesses and flame effects. Norway’s Jonas Lovv delivers crowd-pleasing pop in “Ya ya ya,” while Romania’s Alexandra Căpitănescu channels intense rock energy in “Choke Me,” featuring emo styling and theatrical stage props.
Serbia’s six-piece metal act LAVINA performs “Kraj mene,” shifting between aggressive vocals and intimate passages. Ukraine’s Leléka offers the poetic “Ridnym” (“To the Loved Ones”), a reflective song about roots and renewal. Italy fields Sanremo winner Sal Da Vinci with “Per sempre sì,” a classic singer’s entry backed by a large streaming history. France’s teenage talent Monroe competes with “Regarde,” a hybrid of pop, urban and classical sounds.
Controversy and national narratives
Israel’s representative Noam Bettan performs “Michelle,” a song described as a personal story about breaking a toxic emotional cycle. That entry is at the centre of protests and diplomatic debate this year, contributing to the boycott decisions by several countries. The UK’s entry is the inventive electronic artist Look Mum No Computer with “Eins, Zwei, Drei,” a track notable for being the first UK entry not sung entirely in English and for its creator’s reputation as a musical inventor and YouTuber.
What to expect in Vienna and how the contest will unfold
The week in Vienna will include two semi-finals and the grand final on Saturday 16 May. The semi-finals divide the 35 contestants so that the top ten from each progress to the final, joining the five pre-qualified nations. Hosts and production will aim to emphasize the diversity of styles—from intimate ballads and classical crossover to pop bangers, rock and theatrical performances—while the EBU enforces rules on original material and live lead vocals. Expect bold staging concepts, strategic key changes, and a mix of socially conscious and pure-entertainment songwriting across the line-up.