Eurovision Song Contest 2026: Your ultimate recap
The final took place on Saturday 16th May
Last updated 8 hours ago
Despite the UK not having the greatest success at the Eurovision Song Contest in recent years, that doesn't stop fans across the country coming together to celebrate the biggest and cheesiest night in music.
After Austria won the show last year, the 2026 contest headed to Vienna for the 70th anniversary on Saturday 16th May, so here's your ultimate recap.
Where was the Eurovision Song Contest in 2026?
Thanks to JJ winning last year's Eurovision for Austria, the 2026 contest took place in the country's capital Vienna, at the Wiener Stadthalle.
Who won Eurovision in 2026?
Bulgaria won the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, as DARA delighted fans with her track 'Bangaranga'. DARA scored a huge 516 points, beating Israel who finished as runner-up with 343 points.
When was it?
The Grand Final took place on Saturday 16th May 2026, while the two Semi-Finals took place on Tuesday 12th and Thursday 14th May 2026.
Who represented the UK?
LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER represented the UK in 2026. Real name Sam James Bartle, LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER is a singer/songwriter from Kent, he is also a live electronics performer and composer.
He has a massive following on social media, with over 85 million views and 1.4 million subscribers to his YouTube channel.
LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER performed original track 'Eins, Zwei, Drei', but unfortunately, finished in last place with just one point.
Which countries took part in 2026?
First Semi-Final (12th May)
- Georgia
- Portugal
- Croatia - Qualified for Final
- Sweden- Qualified for Final
- Finland - Qualified for Final
- Moldova - Qualified for Final
- Greece - Qualified for Final
- Montenegro
- Estonia
- San Marino
- Poland - Qualified for Final
- Belgium - Qualified for Final
- Lithuania - Qualified for Final
- Serbia - Qualified for Final
- Israel - Qualified for Final
Second Semi-Final (14th May)
- Azerbaijan
- Romania - Qualified for Final
- Luxembourg
- Armenia
- Switzerland
- Bulgaria - Qualified for Final
- Czechia - Qualified for Final
- Albania - Qualified for Final
- Denmark - Qualified for Final
- Cyprus - Qualified for Final
- Norway - Qualified for Final
- Malta - Qualified for Final
- Australia - Qualified for Final
- Ukraine - Qualified for Final
- Latvia
This year, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and Slovenia did not take part in Eurovision as they boycotted after it was announced that Israel would compete.
What was the running order for the final?
The running order for the Grand Final featured 25 countries competing in Vienna, beginning with Denmark and concluding with the host nation, Austria.
- 🇩🇰 Denmark: Søren Torpegaard Lund - Før Vi Går Hjem
- 🇩🇪 Germany: Sarah Engels - Fire
- 🇮🇱 Israel: Noam Bettan - Michelle
- 🇧🇪 Belgium: ESSYLA - Dancing on the Ice
- 🇦🇱 Albania: Alis - Nân
- 🇬🇷 Greece: Akylas - Ferto
- 🇺🇦 Ukraine: LELÉKA - Ridnym
- 🇦🇺 Australia: Delta Goodrem - Eclipse
- 🇷🇸 Serbia: LAVINA - Kraj Mene
- 🇲🇹 Malta: AIDAN - Bella
- 🇨🇿 Czechia: Daniel Zizka - CROSSROADS
- 🇧🇬 Bulgaria: DARA - Bangaranga
- ðŸ‡ðŸ‡· Croatia: LELEK - Andromeda
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom: LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER - Eins, Zwei, Drei
- 🇫🇷 France: Monroe - Regarde !
- 🇲🇩 Moldova: Satoshi - Viva, Moldova!
- 🇫🇮 Finland: Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen - Liekinheitin
- 🇵🇱 Poland: ALICJA - Pray
- 🇱🇹 Lithuania: Lion Ceccah - Sólo Quiero Más
- 🇸🇪 Sweden: FELICIA - My System
- 🇨🇾 Cyprus: Antigoni - JALLA
- 🇮🇹 Italy: Sal Da Vinci - Per Sempre Sì
- 🇳🇴 Norway: JONAS LOVV - YA YA YA
- 🇷🇴 Romania: Alexandra Căpitănescu - Choke Me
- 🇦🇹 Austria: COSMÓ - Tanzschein
Is there a Eurovision tour?
There was due to be a live tour, however, just weeks after it was announced it was postponed, with full refunds to be given to those who bought tickets.
How can I watch the Eurovision Song Contest?
You can watch the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest back on the BBC iPlayer now.
Who hosted?
Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski hosted the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, with Emily Busvine acting as the green room host.
Who was the UK jury spokesperson?
Singer and global icon La Voix was the United Kingdom’s Eurovision 2026 National Jury spokesperson, becoming the UK’s first-ever Eurovision 'spokesqueen'.
La Voix is a drag performer, singer and global icon who delivered the UK jury results live from Salford during the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 Grand Final, broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. She is a fan favourite and finalist from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK series six, with previous appearances on Britain’s Got Talent, Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie and Graham Norton’s Queen of the Universe, and she also reached the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom in 2025.
When did Eurovision first start?
Eurovision first started way back in 1956, with the first ever contest taking place in Lugano, Switzerland. Taking place on 24th May 1956, the contest was held at the Teatro Kursaal, and was inspired by the Italian Sanremo Festival.
It was a lot different back then though, the contest lasted less than two hours, and only seven countries took part with two entrants each!
Lys Assia from Switzerland was crowned the first ever winner with her song 'Refrain'.
READ MORE: Facts you probably didn’t know about the Eurovision Song Contest
Who has won Eurovision the most?
In a fact which may left you in shock, Ireland have actually won the Eurovision Song Contest the most, along with Sweden. The countries have seven victories each. UK, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands have all won Eurovision five times.