Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final Proceeds in Vienna Amid Boycotts and Protests
Similar Articles
Israeli Eurovision Contestant Advances Amidst Audience Protests
Venice Biennale Opens Amid Protests and Unprecedented Award Changes
Bulgaria Wins Its First Eurovision Song Contest
Venice Biennale Jury Resigns Ahead of Opening, Awards Shift to Public Vote
Protest Delays Russian Pavilion Opening at Venice Biennale
The 70th Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final is scheduled for Saturday in Vienna, Austria, with acts from 25 countries competing. The event is proceeding despite a boycott by five countries protesting Israel's inclusion and smaller-scale protests in the host city. The winner, determined by a mix of public votes and national juries, will host next year's contest.
Facts First
- The Grand Final is set for Saturday at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, featuring 25 competing acts.
- Five countries are boycotting the contest—Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, and Slovenia—in protest of Israel's participation.
- Finland's entry 'Liekinheitin' is the favorite in betting odds, performed by Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen.
- The winner is determined by a 50/50 split between votes from millions of viewers and national juries, with the winning country hosting next year.
- Organizers report last year's contest was watched by 166 million people globally, though this year's field of 35 contestants is the smallest since 2003.
What Happened
The 70th Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the Wiener Stadthalle arena in Vienna, Austria. Acts from 25 countries will compete. Five countries—Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, and Slovenia—are boycotting the contest in protest of Israel's inclusion due to conflicts in Gaza. Spain's public broadcaster, RTVE, announced its boycott in December after the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) stated Israel would be allowed to compete. During a Tuesday semifinal, four people were ejected for attempting to disrupt the performance of Israel's competitor, Noam Bettan. Hundreds of people marched near the contest arena before the final, and pro-Palestinian groups staged an outdoor concert on Friday under the banner 'No stage for genocide'.
Why this Matters to You
If you are a fan of the global music spectacle, you can watch the final on your national broadcaster, on Peacock in the United States, or on the Eurovision YouTube channel. Viewers in participating countries can vote up to 10 times via phone or text message (excluding their own country), while viewers in the U.S. and other nonparticipating countries can vote online at www.esc.vote. The contest's motto is 'United by Music,' but the ongoing political boycotts and protests may affect your viewing experience, as some broadcasters are airing alternative programming. For instance, Spain's RTVE... will air a tribute to its musical history instead of the contest.
What's Next
The winner of the Grand Final will be announced, and the country of the winning act will host the competition in 2027. The contest's global reach may be tested this year due to the boycotts and a smaller field of contestants. Looking further ahead, a spinoff event, Eurovision Song Contest Asia, is scheduled to take place in Bangkok in November. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) may face continued scrutiny over its participant selection rules, which prohibit overtly political lyrics or symbols but have not disqualified Israel, unlike Russia which was disqualified following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.