Eurovision 2026 live: Updates, start time, how to watch and results

OK I’m just going to say it now, I’ve called the winner each year for the past…. six contests?

The Eurovision fans in my life have been going on about Finland for weeks now, and I see why they’d be a hot favourite to win the competition – Eurovision audiences love a violin, the track has a rock edge, and the staging is great.

BUT, I am speaking to you as a longtime and diehard Delta Goodrem fan. I was OBSESSED with her debut album, Innocent Eyes – even back then I felt she had such a unique voice and way of expressing herself. Now having seen the full performance in the second semi-final, I’m convinced Delta is the one who can earn Australia its first ever victory.

Elsewhere, I think Greece, Armenia, Norway and Sweden will do well. As for the UK? I hate the song, but I think the staging and Look Mum No Computer himself could be zany enough to win audiences over. From the judges, I’m predicting another nul points disaster.

A number of protests have taken place in Vienna this week over Israel’s participation in Eurovision.

Five countries – Ireland, Spain, Iceland, Slovenia and the Netherlands – are boycotting the event.

In the Austrian capital this week, hundreds of people gathered at Venediger Au, a park on the outskirts of Vienna, for a No Stage for Genocide event organised by Palestine Solidarity Austria.

“The European Song Contest claims to stand for solidarity, love, diversity, and everything, but in reality, this year’s contest is hosting Israel as a country which is right now committing a genocide in Gaza,” Marco Wanjura, part of the Palestine Solidarity Austria team, said.

“That’s why we wanted to show that the majority in Austria is actually against that.”

Israel has consistently denied that it is committing genocide in Gaza. In September 2025, a UN probe found that the country had committed a genocide in Gaza, concluding that it “flagrantly disregarded” international law and had “orchestrated a genocidal campaign for almost two years now”.

I’m settling down with less than two hours to go before kick-off time, wondering if I order a pizza or if I stick with my cornflake clusters. Feeling like I’ve slightly failed on the snack front this year…

What’s everyone else having?

But one of this year’s favourites is taking to the stage with a defiant fightback.

The buzzy track was also a way for the singer to honour Akylas’s ‘mother’s sacrifices and the journey from overcoming childhood financial struggles’.

Read my Q&A with him here:

On Saturday night, RTE 2 will air “A Song For Europe”, the sitcom’s Eurovision-themed episode featuring priests Ted and Dougal performing “My Lovely Horse”.

This decision is part of a broader boycott, with Ireland, Spain, and Slovenia refusing to send competitors to the 70th iteration of the song competition and opting not to broadcast the final, citing Israel’s war in Gaza. The Netherlands and Iceland are also not sending acts to compete, but will still air the final.

Five countries are boycotting the competition this year over Israel’s involvement. Here’s what you need to know:

Millions of fans across Europe (and Australia) will be tuning in to see if their nation’s act can bring home the Eurovision trophy on Saturday (16 May) – but five countries will be noticeably absent from this year’s song contest.

My colleague Rachel reports:

Eurovision wouldn’t be the same without Norton’s cutting remarks – my colleague Ellie Muir has collated the best (read, meanest).