Eurovision 2026 Final: Finland Favorites, Australia Contenders, and Israel Protests
The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 grand final takes place on Saturday in Vienna, with 25 acts competing. Finland's Pete Parkonnen and Linda Lampenius are favorites with 'Liekenheiten', featuring a £500,000 violin. Australia's Delta Goodrem, a platinum-selling pop star, performs 'Eclipse' and has become a frontrunner after bookmakers slashed her odds. Israel's Noam Bettan faces protests over Gaza war; five countries boycott. Norway's Jonas Lovv was told to tone down his 'too sexy' performance of 'Ya Ya Ya'. Sweden's Felicia lost her voice after a wardrobe malfunction but recovered. UK entry Sam Battle (Look Mum No Computer) performs 'Eins, Zwei, Drei' on a self-built synth. Greece's Akylas, a former street busker, is tipped for top three with 'Ferto'. Moldova's Satoshi celebrates independence with 'Viva, Moldova!'. Bulgaria's Dara, Romania's Alexandra Căpitănescu, Ukraine's Ridnym, Serbia's Lavina, and France's Monroe also perform. The EBU will discuss hosting after the winner is announced on May 16.
Key facts
- Eurovision 2026 grand final in Vienna on Saturday.
- Finland's Pete Parkonnen and Linda Lampenius are favorites with 'Liekenheiten'.
- Linda Lampenius's violin is a 1781 Gagliano worth £500,000.
- Australia's Delta Goodrem performs 'Eclipse' and is now a frontrunner.
- Israel's Noam Bettan faces protests; five countries boycott over Gaza.
- Norway's Jonas Lovv told to censor 'too sexy' performance of 'Ya Ya Ya'.
- Sweden's Felicia lost voice after wardrobe malfunction, recovered.
- UK entry Sam Battle (Look Mum No Computer) performs 'Eins, Zwei, Drei'.
- Greece's Akylas, former street busker, tipped for top three with 'Ferto'.
- Moldova's Satoshi celebrates 35th independence anniversary with 'Viva, Moldova!'.
- Bulgaria's Dara performs 'Bangaranga' with dancers in plastic chairs.
- Romania's Alexandra Căpitănescu's 'Choke Me' criticized for glamorizing sexual violence.
- Ukraine's ballad 'Ridnym' includes a 30-second high note.
- Serbia's Lavina ends metalcore ballad with a scream.
- France's Monroe, 17, is youngest contestant with 'Regarde!'.
- EBU will discuss 2027 hosting after winner announced on May 16.
Entities
Artists
- Pete Parkonnen
- Linda Lampenius
- Delta Goodrem
- Noam Bettan
- Jonas Lovv
- Felicia
- Sam Battle
- Akylas
- Satoshi
- Dara
- Alexandra Căpitănescu
- Monroe
- Graham Norton
- Joel Creasey
- Mads Tørklep
- Eugene Doga
- Maria Mirabela
- Grigore Vieru
- Olly Alexander
- Remember Monday
- Celine Dion
- Harry Styles
- Nicola Benedetti
- Lady Gaga
- Kraftwerk
- Fat Les
Institutions
- BBC
- BBC One
- BBC iPlayer
- BBC Radio 2
- BBC Sounds
- BBC News
- EBU (European Broadcasting Union)
- Eurovision Song Contest
Locations
- Vienna
- Austria
- Norway
- Finland
- Greece
- Australia
- Israel
- Sweden
- United Kingdom
- Ramsgate
- Moldova
- Bulgaria
- Romania
- Ukraine
- Serbia
- France
- Athens
- Gaza