The BBC has confirmed the final date and presenter line-up for Eurovision 2026, which is set to take place in Vienna, Austria. The grand final is just weeks away, with the 70th Song Contest promising a mix of excitement and controversy.
When is Eurovision 2026?
The first semi-final will be held on Tuesday, May 12, at 8pm UK time, followed by the second semi-final on Thursday, May 14, at the same time. The grand final will take place on Saturday, May 16, at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna.
Semi-Final Line-Ups
The first semi-final features 15 countries: Moldova, Sweden, Croatia, Greece, Portugal, Georgia, Finland, Montenegro, Estonia, Israel, Belgium, Lithuania, San Marino, Poland, and Serbia. The second semi-final includes Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Romania, Luxembourg, Czechia, Armenia, Switzerland, Cyprus, Latvia, Denmark, Australia, Ukraine, Albania, Malta, and Norway. British viewers can vote in the second semi-final.
Presenter Line-Up
Angela Scanlon and Rylan Clark will present the BBC's semi-final coverage, standing in for Scott Mills. Graham Norton will host the grand final, while Sara Cox leads BBC Radio 2 coverage. Tia Kofi from RuPaul's Drag Race UK will serve as digital correspondent.
Rylan Clark said: "It's the 70th Eurovision Song Contest and the biggest show on the planet. Being part of anything this big is something younger me could never have imagined." Angela Scanlon added: "It feels like joining the greatest party on earth - equal parts thrilling and terrifying!"
UK Entry and Betting Odds
The UK is represented by electronic artist Look Mum No Computer with the song "Eins, Zwei, Drei." According to Eurovision World, Finland is the favourite with a 29% chance of winning, followed by Greece (13%) and Denmark (10%). The UK is in 20th place with a 1% likelihood.
Controversy and Voting
This year's contest has faced controversy, with several nations boycotting due to Israel's involvement, resulting in 35 participating countries. The winner is determined by a combination of national jury points and viewer votes, including a separate world vote.
The grand final airs on Saturday, May 16, at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
