Eurovision 2026 Grand Final: Everything You Need To Know Ahead Of TONIGHT
EurovisionPicks Team ·
The wait is almost over. After two dramatic Semi-Finals packed with surprises, emotional performances and shock eliminations, the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest reaches its conclusion tonight in Vienna, Austria.
The wait is almost over. After two dramatic Semi-Finals packed with surprises, emotional performances and shock eliminations, the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest reaches its conclusion tonight in Vienna, Austria.
The Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 takes place on Saturday 16 May at 21:00 CEST inside the iconic Wiener Stadthalle, where 25 countries will compete to lift the famous Eurovision trophy and succeed last year’s winner, JJ.
How To Watch The Eurovision 2026 Grand Final
Fans across Europe and beyond will be able to watch the Grand Final live through participating broadcasters, online streaming platforms and official Eurovision services.
Viewers in non-participating countries can also tune in via the official Eurovision YouTube channel, while fans in the United States can watch through Peacock as well as YouTube for the first time in years.
The show begins at 21:00 CEST, with millions expected to tune in worldwide for one of the biggest live television events of the year.
The 25 Countries Competing In Tonight’s Grand Final
Following the First and Second Semi-Finals earlier this week, the final running order has now been confirmed.
Here are the 25 countries competing in the Eurovision 2026 Grand Final:
- 🇩🇰 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
- 🇭🇷 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
How Voting Works Tonight
Viewers once again have the power to help decide the winner of Eurovision 2026.
Fans in participating countries will be able to vote via phone, SMS and online through esc.vote, depending on local broadcaster rules. Voting opens shortly before the first performance and remains open throughout the show before closing around 40 minutes after the final song.
Eurovision’s Rest of the World vote also returns for the Grand Final, allowing viewers from non-participating countries to support their favourite entries online.
Each viewer can vote up to 10 times.
Opening Performance And Interval Acts
Tonight’s Grand Final promises a huge celebration marking Eurovision’s 70th anniversary.
The show’s opening performance reportedly follows the journey of the iconic paper boat featured during Austria’s 2025 winning performance, travelling across Europe before arriving in Vienna just in time for the Grand Final.
Last year’s winner JJ will then return to the Eurovision stage for a major opening performance featuring dancers, acrobats and the traditional Flag Parade introducing all 25 finalists.
During the voting window, Eurovision fans can also expect several special interval acts celebrating the Contest’s history.
Returning Eurovision legends set to appear include:
- Lordi
- Verka Serduchka
- Kristian Kostov
- Erika Vikman
- Miriana Conte
- Ruslana
- Max Mutzke
- Alexander Rybak
Austrian electro-swing star Parov Stelar is also expected to perform, while César Sampson will reportedly deliver a special rendition of Vienna ahead of the final results.
What Happens After The Show?
Once the winner has been crowned in Vienna, Eurovision fans will still be able to keep the celebrations going, with Eurovision’s continuous online stream of classic and modern performances remaining available after the broadcast concludes.
After months of National Finals, rehearsals, Semi-Finals and fan anticipation, Eurovision 2026 finally comes down to one final night.
Who will win the 70th Eurovision Song Contest? Tonight, Europe decides.
Photo Credit: Corinne Cumming/EBU