The final of the Eurovision Song Contest was held in Vienna amid protests against Israel’s participation and a boycott by five countries. Fans packed the 70th edition arena as artists from 25 countries competed for Europe’s biggest pop music award.
The Eurovision 2026 final is taking place in the shadow of political tension
After a week of build-up, acts from 25 countries took to the stage at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna to battle it out for the continent’s pop crown. Millions of viewers around the world will judge a fiery Finnish violinist, a Moldovan folk rapper, a Serbian metal band and many more at the 70th anniversary of Eurovision.
The camp, colorful competition has been compared to World Championship with songs instead of football. And like world sport, it often gets involved in politics. The competition, now in its third year, has been overshadowed by calls for Israel to be excluded because of its conflicts in Gaza and elsewhere, with five long-time participants — Spain, The Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia — to boycott in protest.
Read also | At least 4 countries pull out of Eurovision 2026 as Israel’s participation sows discord
The show opened with a performance by last year’s winner, opera-trained Austrian singer JJ, and an Olympics-style parade of the 25 finalists. Then it was on to the performances of the musicians, who had just 3 minutes to win over millions of viewers who, together with national juries of music professionals, would choose the winners.
First up was Denmark’s Søren Torpegaard Lund, a competition favorite for the sultry “Før Vi Går Hjem” (“Before We Go Home”), followed by Germany’s Sarah Engels with the power ballad “Fire”, the first of what will no doubt be several performances that made liberal use of streams of flame.
Israeli competitor Noam Bettan was delighted to perform “Michelle”, a rock ballad in Hebrew, French and English. Earlier in the week, four people were disqualified for trying to disrupt his semi-final performance. Then came “Dancing on the Ice”, a techno ballad from Belgium’s Essyla.
Ukrainian singer Leléka offered the ethereal, beautiful “Ridnym” and the Australian star Delta Goodrem showcased what a diva should be with her smooth, mid-tempo ballad ‘Eclipse’ – and a bravura performance that sees her lifted into the air above a glittering piano. The European country would likely host Australia next year if they win.
Serbian metal band Lavina provided a dramatic change of pace with an angry “Kraj Mene” – the kind of spinning variety that is the joy of Eurovision.
Pleasant ballads such as Malta’s Aidan’s ‘Bella’ alternated with the five-part vocal harmonies of Croatian folk-pop group Lelek, the operatic voice of France’s Monroe and the witty quirkiness of UK act Look Mum No Computer’s ‘Eins, Zwei, Drei’.
Newbies want to understand the essence of Eurovision and its interplay of pop and politics should look no further than two fan favorites. Rapper Satoshi’s exuberant “Viva, Moldova” is a spirited, pro-European song from a country moving toward the European Union after decades in Moscow’s orbit. The song “Ferto” or “Bring It” by Greek artist Akylas provides a playful look at conspicuous consumption in a country still scarred by the economic wounds of the 2008 financial crisis.
Both are likely to score well with viewers, although they may be less impressed with national juries, who tend to be more impressed by technical excellence. The winners are chosen by a combination of votes from two, converted into points by a system that confuses even Eurovision fans. Whoever gets the most points wins and their country gets to host the competition next year.
Finland is the favorite in betting odds with “Liekinheitin” or “Flamethrower”, a fiery duet between the singing of pop star Peta Parkkonen and the playing of classical violinist Linda Lampenius.
Read also | Israel approved to stay in Eurovision; Spain, Ireland and others withdrew in protest
But Eurovision often brings surprises.
“Eurovision has never been a big star contest. It has largely been an underdog contest,” said Eurovision historian Dean Vuletic. “People like to see an underdog on stage. They like emerging artists or artists from a smaller, poorer country on stage.”
Viewers from around the world can vote for their favorites during and shortly after the show before the results are tallied. Viewers in participating countries can vote up to 10 times, but cannot vote for an act from their own country. Viewers in the US and other non-participating countries can vote online at www.esc.vote.
The protests express opposition to Israel
Street protests against the incorporation of Israel because of its behavior war against Hamas in Gaza were smaller in Vienna than at the 2024 competition Malmö, Sweden and last year’s event in Basel, Switzerland.
Hundreds of people marched near the competition arena before Saturday’s final, some holding placards reading “Block Eurovision”. Pro-Palestinian groups also held an outdoor concert on Friday under the banner “No Stage for Genocide”.
“Inviting Israel to such a beautiful stage as the Eurovision Song Contest stage is an insult to all people who believe in humanity, who believe in love and belonging,” said Congolese-Austrian artist Patrick Bongola, one of the organizers.
The five-nation boycott is a blow to revenue and viewership for the event, which organizers say was watched by 166 million people worldwide last year.
Still, Eurovision is eyeing expansion, with spinoff Eurovision Song Contest Asia to be held in Bangkok in November.
Eurovision director Martin Green urged viewers to put politics aside and enjoy a “great, wonderful and heartfelt show”.
Vuletic says political controversy is nothing new. The first Eurovision boycott was in 1969 — ironically, by Austria, which refused to send a delegation to Spain led by dictator Francisco Franco.
“We’ve seen very politicized editions of the competition in the recent past,” Vuletic said. “Everyone has been very mired in political disputes, but Eurovision goes on.”
(Associated Press writers Hilary Fox and Philipp Jenne in Vienna contributed to this report.)
