Get ready for the ultimate musical extravaganza, as Eurovision 2026 is almost upon us! This iconic event, celebrating its 70th edition, promises to be a spectacle like no other. Personally, I can't wait to witness the creativity, talent, and cultural diversity on display. But enough about my excitement; let's dive into the practical details of how you can be a part of this global celebration of music.
When to Tune In
The Eurovision Song Contest is a three-night affair, with two semi-finals and the grand finale. Mark your calendars for these dates:
- First Semi-Final: Tuesday, May 12th, 21:00 CEST
- Second Semi-Final: Thursday, May 14th, 21:00 CEST
- Grand Final: Saturday, May 16th, 21:00 CEST
Catching the Action Live
If you're in a participating country, you're in luck! Local broadcasters will air the semi-finals and the grand final live, often with commentary in your native language. But even if you're not in a participating country, you're not left out. The official Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel will stream the live shows, ensuring that music lovers worldwide can join in on the fun. Additionally, our friends at Peacock in the US will also be streaming the shows live.
Participating Broadcasters
Here's a list of broadcasters from participating countries, so you know where to tune in:
- ๐ฆ๐ฑ Albania: RTSH 1HD, RTSH MUZIKE
- ๐ฆ๐ฒ Armenia: Channel One
- ๐ฆ๐บ Australia: SBS
- ๐ฆ๐น Austria: ORF 1
- ๐ฆ๐ฟ Azerbaijan: ฤฐctimai TV (ITV)
- ๐ง๐ช Belgium: La Une (First Semi-Finals), Tipik (Second Semi-Final), VRT
- ๐ง๐ฌ Bulgaria: BNT1, BNT4
- ๐ญ๐ท Croatia: HTV1
- ๐จ๐พ Cyprus: CyBC 1, CyBC HD
- ๐จ๐ฟ Czechia: ฤT2 (Semi-Finals), ฤT1 (Grand Final)
- ๐ฉ๐ฐ Denmark: DR1
- ๐ช๐ช Estonia: ETV, ETC+, ETV2
- ๐ซ๐ฎ Finland: TV1
- ๐ซ๐ท France: France 4 (Semi-Finals), France 2 (Grand Final)
- Georgia: Channel 1
- ๐ฉ๐ช Germany: ONE (ARD) (Semi-Finals), Das Erste (ARD) (Grand Finals)
- ๐ฌ๐ท Greece: ERT1
- ๐ฎ๐ฑ Israel: KAN11, MAKAN33, KAN KIDS80
- ๐ฎ๐น Italy: RAI DUE (Semi-Finals), RAI UNO (Grand Final)
- ๐ฑ๐ป Latvia: LTV1
- ๐ฑ๐น Lithuania: LRT television
- ๐ฑ๐บ Luxembourg: RTL Luxembourg
- ๐ฒ๐น Malta: TVM
- ๐ฒ๐ฉ Moldova: TV Moldova 1, Radio Moldova, Radio Moldova Muzical
- ๐ฒ๐ช Montenegro: 1
- ๐ณ๐ด Norway: NRK 1, NRK TV (digital app)
- ๐ต๐ฑ Poland: TVP1
- ๐ต๐น Portugal: RTP1
- ๐ท๐ด Romania: TVR 1
- ๐ธ๐ฒ San Marino: San Marino RTV
- ๐ท๐ธ Serbia: RTS 1
- ๐ธ๐ช Sweden: SVT1 and SR
- ๐จ๐ญ Switzerland: SRF2, RTS2, RSI LA1
- ๐บ๐ฆ Ukraine: Suspilne Kultura
- ๐ฌ๐ง United Kingdom: BBC One
Voting and Your Voice
One of the most exciting aspects of Eurovision is the voting process, where viewers get to have their say and influence the outcome. Here's how it works:
Voting in the Semi-Finals
If your country is competing in Eurovision, you can only vote in the semi-final in which your country performs. This includes countries like Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Austria, who automatically qualify for the grand final but are assigned a specific semi-final. You can vote by phone or SMS, and the instructions will be provided during the broadcast. Remember, you can't vote for your own country, no matter how much you love their performance!
For those in non-participating countries, you still have a say through the "Rest of the World" vote. This vote helps determine which acts advance to the grand final on Saturday. The voting window opens at midnight on the day of each semi-final and remains open until the live show begins. So, make sure to cast your vote and support your favorite acts!
Voting in the Grand Final
Your vote is crucial in deciding the winner of the grand final! If your country is competing, voting will open just before the first song is performed and remain open throughout the performances and for approximately 40 minutes after the last song. You can vote up to 20 times, so choose wisely and share your favorites using the My Scoreboard feature on the official Eurovision Song Contest app.
For viewers in non-participating countries, the voting window will open at midnight on the day of the grand final and close briefly when the live show begins. It will then reopen just before the first song, staying open throughout the show until around 40 minutes after the last competing song. So, get ready to cheer on your favorites and cast your votes!
A Global Celebration
What makes Eurovision truly special is its ability to unite people from all corners of the globe. It's not just a music competition; it's a cultural exchange, a celebration of diversity, and a showcase of talent. So, whether you're a die-hard fan or a casual observer, join us in this global celebration of music and let your voice be heard. See you at Eurovision 2026!
