The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has confirmed the list of participants for Eurovision 2026, with a total of 35 countries set to compete in the milestone 70th edition of the song contest, Baltimore Chronicle with a reference to EBU.
This year, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, the Netherlands, and Iceland withdrew from the competition in protest over Israel’s participation. For the first time in several years, Bulgaria, Romania, and Moldova are returning to the contest after absences of three, two, and one year, respectively.
“Eurovision remains a place where voices, cultures, languages, and music intersect. It is a platform where people from all over the world can show that even in challenging times, there is room for a better future. We are delighted to welcome back BNT (Bulgaria), TVR (Romania), and TRM (Moldova), joining 32 other national broadcasters to take part in Eurovision 2026 in Vienna. Their return is a vivid reminder of the enduring power of the contest and what it truly means to be united by music,” said Martin Green, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest.
About Eurovision 2026
Vienna will host Eurovision for the fourth time in history. Fifteen songs will compete in the first semi-final on May 12, with another 15 in the second semi-final on May 14. They will be joined by pre-qualified entries from Austria (as the host country), France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom (as founding countries of the contest). The grand final is scheduled for May 16.
For the first time since 2022, juries will return to vote during the semi-finals. Their points will be combined with viewer votes to determine the ten songs that qualify from each semi-final.
In the grand final, viewers from all participating countries and the rest of the world, together with the jury composed of representatives from all 35 broadcasters, will vote to select the winner of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest. The draw to determine the semi-final allocation for each entry will take place on January 12.
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