It’s been a long road, friends, but tonight we finally see the culmination of months, even years of work. Following two competitive Semifinals, we have winnowed the field down to twenty-five acts, and only one will raise the crystal microphone high this evening.

As key nations withdraw from Vienna in a year clouded by geopolitics, it might be hard for some to come to our biggest party this year. Tonight, we remember those absent friends, but we also reclaim the good of the Song Contest through the defiant power of music.

A landmark rule technicality will allow Linda Lampenius to perform the first live-mic'ed instrumental solo on the Eurovision stage this century. This "Lampenius Rule" marks a watershed moment for the Contest, potentially opening the door for more live musicianship on the continent's biggest stage.

Eurovision's televote has come under increased scrutiny by broadcasters, the media, and viewers following 2025's Song Contest. Sharleen Wright discusses one of the changes and their impact on 2026's voting experience, the lower limit of televotes you can cast.

10 songs have been eliminated, now 25 remain to be in contention to be crowned the winner of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest. As customary, here is our review of the producer's running order, in a show that starts with Denmark and ends with host country Austria.