Eurovision 2026: First Semi-Final running order revealed
EurovisionPicks Team ·
The first live Semi-Final of the **Eurovision Song Contest 2026** takes place on **Tuesday 12 May at 21:00 CEST**, with 15 countries battling for a place in Saturday’s Grand Final.
The first live Semi-Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 takes place on Tuesday 12 May at 21:00 CEST, with 15 countries battling for a place in Saturday’s Grand Final.
Only 10 acts will qualify from the show, while viewers will also get their first look at performances from Italy and Germany, who are already pre-qualified for the Grand Final as part of the Big 4.
This year’s broadcasts from Vienna will be hosted by Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski.
Victoria Swarovski is known as a TV presenter, entrepreneur, singer and designer, while Michael Ostrowski is one of Austria’s best-known actors and television personalities.
Eurovision 2026 First Semi-Final running order
1. 🇲🇩 Moldova: Satoshi - Viva, Moldova!
2. 🇸🇪 Sweden: FELICIA - My System
3. 🇭🇷 Croatia: LELEK - Andromeda
4. 🇬🇷 Greece: Akylas - Ferto
5. 🇵🇹 Portugal: Bandidos do Cante - Rosa
6. 🇬🇪 Georgia: Bzikebi - On Replay
7. 🇮🇹 Italy: Sal Da Vinci - Per Sempre Sì
8. 🇫🇮 Finland: Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen - Liekinheitin
9. 🇲🇪 Montenegro: Tamara Živković - Nova Zora
10. 🇪🇪 Estonia: Vanilla Ninja - Too Epic To Be True
11. 🇮🇱 Israel: Noam Bettan - Michelle
12. 🇩🇪 Germany: Sarah Engels - Fire
13. 🇧🇪 Belgium: ESSYLA - Dancing on the Ice
14. 🇱🇹 Lithuania: Lion Ceccah - Sólo Quiero Más
15. 🇸🇲 San Marino: SENHIT - Superstar
16. 🇵🇱 Poland: ALICJA - Pray
17. 🇷🇸 Serbia: LAVINA - Kraj Mene
Big names, returning artists and fan favourites
This year’s first Semi-Final features several familiar Eurovision names and fan favourites already generating major online discussion.
SENHIT returns to the Eurovision stage for San Marino, while iconic Estonian group Vanilla Ninja also make a comeback with Too Epic To Be True.
Poland’s ALICJA enters the contest as one of the most talked-about artists of the season after finally securing her Eurovision return six years after originally being selected for the cancelled 2020 contest.
Meanwhile, Israel’s participation continues to attract significant attention and controversy amid ongoing broadcaster boycotts and political debate surrounding this year’s competition.
Who are the favourites to qualify?
With only ten qualification spots available, competition is expected to be intense.
Countries already attracting strong fan reactions online include:
- 🇸🇪 Sweden
- 🇫🇮 Finland
- 🇵🇱 Poland
- 🇷🇸 Serbia
- 🇧🇪 Belgium
However, Eurovision surprises are always possible, especially with such a varied line-up of genres and staging styles.
When can fans watch?
The First Semi-Final of Eurovision 2026 takes place on:
Tuesday 12 May
21:00 CEST
Live from Vienna, Austria
Which songs are you most excited for?
Let us know your predicted qualifiers and shock eliminations on social media.
Image Credits: Eurovision.com