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Eurovision 2026: 35 Nations Compete Amidst Boycott Drama
9 May
Summary
- Eurovision 2026 features 35 countries competing for the winner's crown.
- Five nations boycotted the event due to calls to exclude Israel.
- The competition begins May 12th in Vienna, Austria, with the finale on May 16th.
The annual Eurovision song contest is gearing up for its 2026 edition, scheduled to open in Vienna, Austria. A total of 35 countries will vie for the winner's crown, with Austria hosting as last year's champion.
The competition is set to begin on May 12th with the first semi-finals, followed by the second semi-finals on May 14th. The grand finale is slated for May 16th at the Wiener Stadthalle.
This year's event sees a reduced roster of participants, as five nations—Spain, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Slovenia—have withdrawn. Their withdrawal stems from calls made to the Eurovision Broadcasting Union to exclude Israel's entry, a request the EBU ultimately did not grant.
The 2026 contest will showcase a variety of artists and songs, representing nations from Albania to the United Kingdom. A comprehensive guide to all 35 participating songs is available.
