What time does Eurovision start? Where to watch, how to vote, and everything you need to know about 2026 final
Here’s where you can watch Eurovision, the exact time it’s on in the UK, how to vote, who’s hosting and everything you need to know about the 2026 Grand Final.
After two dramatic semi-finals, there are 25 countries preparing for the conclusion of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest.
Celebrating its 70th edition in Vienna, Austria this evening, finalists in the annual music competition include the likes of Poland, Greece and Australia.
That’s in addition to this year’s hosts, and the so called Eurovision “Big Four”; the countries which make the largest financial contribution to the contest each year - including the UK, which is being represented by Youtuber Look Mum No Computer.
Also including France, Germany and Italy, these countries automatically have a slot in the Grand Final alongside the host nation, with all other countries having to face off across two rounds of semi-finals.
Spain was previously among this group - known then as the “Big Five” - however, this year they are instead among five countries boycotting Eurovision over the continued participation of Israel, alongside the likes of Iceland and the Netherlands, another large financial backer.
Meanwhile, countries such as Bulgaria, Moldova and Romania have returned to the competition after being absent from the competition in recent years.
Here is everything you need to know about Eurovision 2026 - from what time is is on, to who is taking part, how to vote and more.
What time is Eurovision on?
Eurovision will begin at 9pm local time, which is 8pm in the UK.
In Australia, Eurovision won’t be on until between 3am and 5am depending on location.
Where can I watch Eurovision in the UK?
If you’re tuning in from the UK, Eurovision will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 8pm.
If you aren’t able to watch, there will also be coverage on BBC Two and BBC Sounds.
For those who are hard of hearing or visually impaired, there will also be live audio description and live signing available on BBC iPlayer or via the red button.
Graham Norton will once again return to commentate Eurovision 2026
Once again, UK audiences will be treated to live commentary from Graham Norton during the 2026 Eurovision Grand Final. He takes over from Rylan and Angela Scanlon, who provided commentary during the semi-finals.
However, if you’re a fan of Rylan you can catch him live with Sara Cox on BBC Radio Two.
Over on the BBC’s social media accounts, Tia Kofi will be providing coverage from the Eurovision Village.
How to watch Eurovision elsewhere
If you live in a country taking part in the competition, you will be able to watch live via your participating broadcaster.
If you live in a non-participating country, you can still join in on the fun and watch the official Eurovision final live on YouTube. For those who live in the United States, the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest will also air live on Peacock.
All of the countries in the Eurovision 2026 final
If you didn’t watch the Eurovision semi-finals, you may not know which countries were eliminated as participants were narrowed from 35 to 25.
It was a smaller batch of contestants than usual, as five countries boycott the competition over the continued participation of Israel due to the war in Gaza, as well as controversy over voting interference. New rules were introduced by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) for the 2026 competition, with Israel already having received a formal warning about a “direct call to action” in videos.
Countries which have refused to take part in this year’s competition include Spain - previously one of the “Big Five” countries recognised for significant financial contributions to the contest - Ireland, Iceland, Slovenia and the Netherlands.
There are then 10 countries which didn’t qualify for the semi-finals. This includes: Azerbaijan; Luxembourg; Armenia; Switzerland; Latvia; Portugal; Georgia; Montenegro; Estonia; and San Marino.
Here is the full list of Eurovision 2026 finalists:
- Albania — Nân by Alis
- Australia — Eclipse by Delta Goodrem
- Austria — Tanzschien by Cosmó
- Belgium — Dancing on the Ice by ESSYLA
- Bulgaria — Bangaranga by DARA
- Croatia — Andromeda by LELEK
- Cyprus — JALLA by Antigoni
- Czechia — CROSSROADS by Daniel Zizka
- Denmark — Før Vi Går Hjem by Søren Torpegaard Lund
- Finland — Liekinheitin by Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen
- France — Regarde! by Monroe
- Germany — Fire by Sarah Engels
- Greece — Ferto by Akylas
- Israel — Michelle by Noam Bettan
- Italy — Per Sempre Sì by Sal Da Vinci
- Lithuania — Sólo Quiero Más by Lion Ceccah
- Malta — Bella by AIDAN
- Moldova — Viva, Moldova! by Satoshi
- Norway — YA YA YA by JONAS LOVV
- Poland — Pray by ALICJA
- Romania — Choke Me by Alexandra Căpitănescu
- Serbia — Kraj Mene by LAVINA
- Sweden — My System by FELICIA
- Ukraine — Ridnym by LELÉKA
- United Kingdom — Eins, Zwei, Drei by Look Mum No Computer
Who are the hosts of Eurovision 2026?
Much like the live semi-finals earlier in the week, the 2026 Eurovision final will be hosted by Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski.
Swarovski - yes, that Swarovski - is a TV presenter, entrepreneur, model, designer, and singer, while her co-host Ostrowski is a film and TV actor, as well as a presenter.
Who will announce the UK’s points?
It’s the point at which things start to get serious, and this year singer and global icon La Voix will be the UK’s Jury Spokesperson for Eurovision 2026.
Fresh from her Strictly Come Dancing stint, the drag queen will deliver the points awarded by the UK’s 7-person jury of music professionals.
Eurovision 2026: How to vote in the Grand Final
Unlike the semi-finals - when people in the UK could only vote during the second round - people around the UK will be able to vote for whoever they wish in the Grand Final - except the UK, as no country can vote for itself.
New for Eurovision 2026, all voting is online only - either via the official website or the official Eurovision app.
Each person is allocated a total of 10 votes which can awarded to any country, or spread across multiple countries, but each vote must be cast at the same time.
It will cost 15p per vote, and voters will be asked to enter their bank details, or to pay via Google Pay or Apple Pay to successfully register.
You can find the full details of how to vote here.
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