Eurovision 2026: Why can't the UK vote in semi-final 1?
Here’s why the UK can’t vote in Eurovision semi-final 1.
Tonight marks the beginning of the Eurovision Song Contest, which is now in its 70th year.
Taking place in Vienna, Austria, the first semi-final will feature 15 countries going head to head to win one of ten spots in the final on Saturday (May 16). As well as those looking to become finalists, tonight’s show will also include performances from two of the Eurovision “Big 4”, who will automatically make it through to the final show.
But if you’re tuning in from the UK tonight in the hopes of having a say in which countries go through, then you’re out of luck.
Why can’t the UK vote in Eurovision semi-final 1?
Because of the way Eurovision works, only those in countries which are participating in the first semi-final will be able to cast votes during this show.
This includes Italy and Germany, even though both have already qualified for the 2026 Eurovision final.
Instead, those living in the UK will have to wait until semi-final 2 on Thursday, May 14 to be able to vote. This is when the UK’s entrant, Look Mum No Computer, will be performing.
Here are all of the countries participating in semi-final 1 and, therefore, which can vote:
- Moldova
- Sweden
- Croatia
- Greece
- Portugal
- Georgia
- Italy
- Finland
- Montenegro
- Estonia
- Israel
- Germany
- Belgium
- Lithuania
- San Marino
- Poland
- Serbia
How are Eurovision finalists decided?
The Eurovision 2026 finalists are decided by a mix of public votes, points from National Jury Voting and also the rest of the world vote, which essentially acts as an additional country for those which don’t participate in Eurovision.
Each country’s national jury is made up of seven music professionals who award points based on a dress rehearsal ahead of the official semi-final, which is known as the Jury Show.
The ten highest scoring acts in each semi final - after Jury points and the Audience Vote have been combined - will then go through to the final.
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How to vote
As for how to vote for Eurovision 2026, if you live in the UK all votes must be cast online through the official website or via the Eurovision app.
You can find a link, here.
UK viewers will be able to vote in semi-final 2 and in the final on Saturday, with a limit to 10 votes per payment method.
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