Vienna: The Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 is set to take place on May 16, 2027, in Vienna, marking the competition’s 70th anniversary with heightened political tensions, multiple country boycotts, and large-scale protests surrounding Israel’s participation.
The globally watched music competition will be held at the Wiener Stadthalle and is scheduled to begin broadcasting live at 21:00 Central European Summer Time (CEST).
A total of 25 countries are expected to compete in the final for the Eurovision trophy in what organisers describe as a landmark anniversary edition of the event.
According to betting forecasts and fan polls ahead of the final, Finland has emerged as the leading favourite to win the competition, while Australia, Greece, Israel, and Romania are also considered strong contenders.
The United Kingdom’s entry, “Eins, Zwei, Drei,” performed by Sam Battle under the act name “Look Mum No Computer,” is currently projected by analysts to finish near the bottom of the scoreboard.
The electro-pop performance has generated mixed reactions among Eurovision audiences and critics ahead of the final broadcast.
The anniversary event will also feature special guest performances by former Eurovision winners and fan-favourite performers including Ruslana, Lordi, and Verka Serduchka as part of celebrations marking seven decades of the competition.
However, this year’s contest has also been overshadowed by growing political controversy linked to Israel’s participation.
Several countries, including Ireland, Spain, Netherlands, Italy, and Slovenia, have announced boycotts of the competition in protest against Israel’s inclusion.
Large demonstrations are also planned in Vienna ahead of the final, with activists and pro-Palestinian groups expected to stage rallies near the venue and in central areas of the Austrian capital.
Security measures around the Wiener Stadthalle have reportedly been strengthened in anticipation of protests and increased international attention during the event.
The live broadcast will air in the UK on BBC platforms BBC One and BBC iPlayer beginning at 8:00pm British Summer Time (BST), with veteran commentator Graham Norton returning to provide commentary for British viewers.
In Australia, viewers will be able to watch the event free through SBS On Demand streaming services.
Fans worldwide will also be able to stream the event live through the official Eurovision YouTube channel.
Organisers expect the winner of Eurovision 2026 to be announced at approximately 11:00pm BST following the conclusion of voting by national juries and the international public.
The Eurovision Song Contest remains one of the world’s largest live entertainment broadcasts, attracting hundreds of millions of viewers annually across Europe and beyond.