The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 has officially started in Vienna, the Austrian capital chosen to host the 70th edition of one of the world’s most watched entertainment events. The Wiener Stadthalle has once again become the center of the European music industry, welcoming artists, broadcasters and fans from across the continent.
This year’s edition, however, is not only about music. Alongside the performances and the traditional Eurovision atmosphere, the contest has been overshadowed by major political controversy linked to Israel’s participation and the boycott announced by several European countries. The situation has transformed Vienna 2026 into one of the most debated Eurovision editions in recent memory.
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When and where Eurovision 2026 takes place
Eurovision 2026 is hosted in Vienna after Austria’s victory in the previous edition. The event is divided into three main live shows during Eurovision week. The official schedule includes:
- First semi-final: May 12
- Second semi-final: May 14
- Grand Final: May 16
All performances are taking place at the Wiener Stadthalle, one of Europe’s largest indoor arenas. Austria is hosting Eurovision for the third time in the competition’s history.
Who are the hosts of Eurovision 2026
The 2026 edition is hosted by Austrian presenter and singer Victoria Swarovski alongside actor and TV personality Michael Ostrowski. Italian coverage is instead led by commentators Gabriele Corsi and Elettra Lamborghini.
Victoria Swarovski’s presence has attracted major media attention because of her connection to the famous Swarovski family, internationally known for its luxury crystal business.
How the Eurovision voting system works
The Eurovision voting mechanism still relies on the combination of:
- public televoting
- national professional juries
Each country awards points using the traditional Eurovision scale:
- 1 to 8 points
- 10 points
- 12 points for the favorite song
The final result is determined by combining jury votes and audience votes. As always, the so-called “Big Four” — Italy, France, Germany and the United Kingdom — automatically qualify for the Grand Final together with the host nation Austria. All the remaining countries must first qualify through the semi-finals.
The voting system has often been criticized for alleged regional favoritism and political influence. Several academic studies have highlighted recurring voting patterns connected to geography, culture and historical alliances between countries.
The most anticipated singers and songs
Eurovision 2026 features 35 participating countries, a lower number than usual because of boycotts and withdrawals linked to the Israel controversy. Among the most talked-about artists are:
- Sal Da Vinci for Italy with “Per Sempre Sì”
- Noam Bettan for Israel with “Michelle”
- Jonas Lovv for Norway with “Ya Ya Ya”
- ESSYLA for Belgium with “Dancing on the Ice”
- COSMÓ for Austria with “Tanzschein”
Italian singer Sal Da Vinci received a standing ovation during the first semi-final performance in Vienna. Norwegian artist Jonas Lovv has instead sparked controversy after reports that the EBU requested changes to his performance because it was considered “too sensual” for the show.
How much Eurovision contestants earn
One of the least discussed aspects of Eurovision concerns the financial side of the contest. In reality, most performers do not receive enormous direct payments from the organizers. The real economic benefits usually come from:
- streaming revenues
- international tours
- sponsorship deals
- media exposure
- record contracts after the competition
For many artists, Eurovision acts primarily as a massive international launch platform. Global acts such as Måneskin became worldwide stars after winning the contest.
The Israel controversy and the boycott crisis
The biggest political issue surrounding Eurovision 2026 concerns Israel’s participation amid the ongoing war in Gaza. Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, Iceland and the Netherlands have announced various forms of protest against the EBU’s decision to allow Israel to remain in the competition. Some countries withdrew from participation, while others refused to broadcast the event on television.
Irish broadcaster RTÉ even decided to replace the Eurovision final with an episode of the sitcom Father Ted, turning the protest into an international media story. The controversy has already reduced the number of competing nations and may significantly affect global television audiences.
Eurovision’s enormous global audience
Despite political tensions, Eurovision remains one of the most watched entertainment events in the world. International estimates suggest that the contest reaches:
- more than 160 million global viewers
- broadcasts in over 50 countries
- hundreds of millions of social media interactions
- billions of online views across YouTube, TikTok and Instagram
The EBU is also trying to expand Eurovision into Asian and Middle Eastern markets, turning the competition into an increasingly global entertainment brand.
Why Eurovision remains unique
Beyond the political tensions and diplomatic controversies, Eurovision continues to represent a unique global phenomenon. The contest combines pop music, national identity, television entertainment, global marketing and geopolitics into a single massive media event.
And it is probably this unusual mix of spectacle, competition and international tension that continues to make Eurovision one of the most discussed and followed events of the year.
