Everything to Know About Eurovision 2026
The over-the-top song and performance competition is back for its milestone 70th edition. Get all the details!
Eurovision is back, and celebrating its 70th installment!
It's time for the 2026 edition of Europe's most over-the-top and fun song competition, and we've got all the details for those in the United States who want to witness every unforgettable performance.
Keep reading for more information about this year's Eurovision Song Contest.
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What is Eurovision?
Eurovision is the world’s largest music competition, an annual event organized by the European Broadcasting Union. It's co-produced with the union's member broadcasters — most prominently, the public broadcaster of the country that won the contest the prior year, which serves as the Host Broadcaster.
Since Austria won the 2025 contest with the song "Wasted Love," performed by JJ, the country gets to play host this year.
Members of the European Broadcasting Union and invited associates are eligible to participate. Each broadcaster taking part submits one original song with a maximum length of three minutes. The tune, which has to have been released after a certain date, can be performed by up to six artists on stage. There are several rounds of the competition.
The first contest took place in 1956 and was created to bring audiences and countries together.
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How many countries are taking part in Eurovision 2026, and which ones?
This year, 35 countries will be represented at the Eurovision Song Contest: Albania, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldovia, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
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When does Eurovision 2026 take place?
Eurovision 2026 begins on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, and ends on Saturday, May 16.
Ahead of the event, fans can get a sense of the action before it unfolds live, by watching this YouTube video from Eurovision previewing all 35 songs that will be performed at this year's contest.
How can I watch Eurovision in 2026?
Good news for those in the U.S.: Eurovision 2026 will be broadcast live on Peacock!
Music lovers across America can take in all three days of competition live on Peacock on the following days:
First Semi-Final: Tuesday, May 12 at 3 p.m. ET
Second Semi-Final: Thursday, May 14 at 3 p.m. ET
Grand Final: Saturday, May 16 at 3 p.m. ET
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Where does Eurovision take place this year?
Eurovision 2026 is happening in Vienna, Austria, and it will mark the third time the capital city has hosted the competition, having also done so in 2015 and 1967.
Last year's event took place in Basel, Switzerland.
If you can't wait for the jaw-dropping performances slated to take place this year (or simply want to get a feel of how the competition works), you can get in the Eurovision mood by streaming the 2025 event, which is available on Peacock right now.
