Eurovision 2026 first semi-final kicks off in Vienna

The 70th Eurovision Song Contest officially begins with its first semi-final on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria. A total of 35 countries are participating in this year's contest, which has seen some scaling down compared to previous years due to partial boycotts related to Israel's participation. Greece's representative, Akylas, will perform fourth with the song 'Ferto', featuring a theatrical performance that incorporates staging elements such as multiple rooms and an ancient world theme. Alongside Akylas, actress Parthena Chorozidou will appear on stage. Finland is currently considered a betting favorite to win the competition. Other countries competing in the first semi-final include Moldova, Sweden, Croatia, Portugal, Georgia, Italy, Montenegro, Estonia, Israel, Germany, Belgium, Lithuania, San Marino, Poland, and Serbia. Cyprus, represented by Antigoni with the song 'Jalla', is scheduled to compete in the second semi-final on Thursday, May 14. Ten qualifiers from tonight's event will advance to the grand final on Saturday.