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.

The results of the Eurovision Audience Poll for the Grand Final at Vienna 2026 are in.Australia takes first place with 16%, Bulgaria second on 12%, and Finland third on 10 percent.

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.

We take a look through all 10 of the qualifying entries, analyse why gold is the magic colour for Australia, explore the innovative stagings of the returning countries Romania and Bulgaria, and ask which of these songs could have chances to succeed in the Grand Final on Saturday.

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.