Eurovision 2026

[ISUCyclones2015]

Eurovision starts up next week in Vienna. Rehearsals wrapping up today.

Who you got?

Semi Final 1: Tuesday May 12 @ 2pm CT
Semi Final 2: Thursday May 14th @ 2pm CT

Grand Final: Saturday May 16th @ 2pm CT

 

[ISUCyclones2015]

My top 3: Sweden, Romania, Croatia
My bottom 3: San Marino, Portugal, Azerbaijan


Overall prediction: Finland, Denmark, France
Jury prediction: Australia, Denmark, Finland
Televote prediction: Finland, Ukraine, Italy

Surprises: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Lithuania

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

Never heard of it. So it's like American Idol for countries?

 

[JEFF420]

Never heard of it. So it's like American Idol for countries?

yeah kinda but its been happening since the 50s i think. post ww2 way of bringing the family back together

 

[Inthesystem]

Is it available to watch on streaming?

 

[ISUCyclones2015]

Never heard of it. So it's like American Idol for countries?

The main difference is that the singers are just singing one song throughout the competition and they’re judged based on the entire performance.

Must be an original song and there’s some various other rules (every performer must sing, only so many people on stage, must be between a certain length).

 

[ISUCyclones2015]

Is it available to watch on streaming?

Peacock has had it the last few years and they announced that this year it’ll be free on YouTube in the US for the first time ever. So it’ll be on both. I recommend the YouTube stream as it won’t have extra ads (in the past you needed a VPN to watch it on YouTube)

 

[ISUCyclones2015]

Here were the last few years of winners

2025 - Austria


2024 - Switzerland


2023 - Sweden

 

[pourcyne]

Eurovision is a very progressive and political event. I haven't listened to them all, but my personal preference is "Alice" by Switzerland's Veronica Fusaro. (all the 2026 contenders are on YouTube)

 

[WIBadger]

The main difference is that the singers are just singing one song throughout the competition and they’re judged based on the entire performance.

Must be an original song and there’s some various other rules (every performer must sing, only so many people on stage, must be between a certain length).

Also, it's a lot shorter: just the semifinals and finals. So at most you're singing twice.

I really like it. A lot of the songs are ridiculous and I wouldn't necessary listen to them after the competition is over, but I think it's a fun way to spend an afternoon. I haven't listened to any of the songs yet and don't know if I'll be able to watch day of, but will be watching later.

 

[WIBadger]

Here were the last few years of winners

2025 - Austria


2024 - Switzerland


2023 - Sweden

Espresso Macchiato was robbed last year!

 

[ISUCyclones2015]

Here are the results from the first semis and the draws they received for the grand finals on Saturday

 

[dmclone]

My favorite from 2023

 

[dmclone]

Also, boy George? Wff

 

[ISUCyclones2015]

Also, boy George? Wff

Yea that was odd and honestly deserved to not qualify. He ruined that song with his karaoke singing

 

[Big Daddy Kang]

Is it just me or are these all terrible?

 

[ISUCyclones2015]

Is it just me or are these all terrible?

Are you speaking of the ones from yesterday or the ones that have been linked?

 

[Cyclone9999]

Yea that was odd and honestly deserved to not qualify. He ruined that song with his karaoke singing

That same singer from San Marino brought in Flo Rida a few years ago. They made it to the finals, but finished towards the bottom.

 

[EnkAMania]

My Mom is Swedish and just happened to be visiting home in 1974. She came back with an ABBA album that had Waterloo in Swedish and English.

 

[ISUCyclones2015]

That same singer from San Marino brought in Flo Rida a few years ago. They made it to the finals, but finished towards the bottom.

I remember. There was a lot of speculation if he would be there in person or not due to the COVID restrictions. They were lucky to make the finals but if I recall that was a super weak semi final.