We have our finalists - but who's the one to watch?published at 22:33 BST 14 May

22:33 BST 14 May

Mark Savage
Music correspondent, at the semi-final

Image source, Getty Images

We now know the 25 contestants who'll perform here in Vienna on Saturday night.

All of the favourites sailed through the semi-finals, with bookmakers suggesting the top three are:

1. Finland: Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen - Liekinheitin (37% chance of winning)
2. Greece: Akylas - Ferto (11% chance of winning)
3. Australia: Delta Goodrem - Eclipes (11% chance of winning)

I think Delta's the one to watch. Her odds have been shortening all week - and her song, a classic ballad in the Celine Dion style, is guaranteed to appeal to both the public vote and the juries of professional songwriters, who each account for half of the score.

There's also a possibility that Israel will romp home in the public vote, something that's become a pattern and a bone of contention in recent years - with some countries accusing the Israeli government of trying to influence the result through expensive advertising campaigns (Eurovision organiser insist this is not the case).

And what of the UK? After tonight's result we have two chances to win (or, more realistically, lose) at the grand final.

Image source, Getty Images

Our official entry, Look Mum No Computer is currently ranked 21st by the bookmakers. Above that, in 16th place, we have Cypriot entry Antigoni - who was born and raised in London.

Whatever the outcome, Saturday looks like it'll be a closely-fought contest (I personally think Finland's odds are overstated).

We're now ending our live coverage of the semi-final - but we'll be bringing you running commentary of the grand final on Saturday. See you back here in 48 hours!

The votes have been counted. In alphabetical order, here are the 10 countries who scored enough points to make Saturday's final.

• Albania: Alis - Nân
• Australia: Delta Goodrem - Eclipse
• Bulgaria: Dara - Bangaranga
• Cyprus: Antigoni - Jalla
• Czechia: Daniel Zizka - Crossroads
• Denmark: Søren Torpegaard Lund - Før Vi Går Hjem
• Malta: Aidan - Bella
• Romania: Alexandra Căpitănescu - Choke Me
• Ukraine: Leléka - Ridnym
• Norway: Jonas Lovv - Ya Ya Ya

They join Belgium, Croatia, Finland, Greece, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Serbia and Sweden - all of whom qualified on Monday.

And, as a reminder, the UK, Italy, Germany and France - also known as the "Big Four" automatically qualified for the final. Austria, as this year's hosts, were also guaranteed a spot in the grand final on Saturday.

Mark Savage
Music correspondent, at the semi-final

Image source, EBU / Corinne Cumming

Get your goosebumps ready, as 2025 winner JJ is back to perform his new single, Unknown.

Dressed all in white, he's accompanied by a dozen extras and four acrobats who float down from the hall's ceiling as he soars to the most impossible high notes.

JJ has described Unknown as an "improved version", external of last year's winning song, Wasted Love - and his distinctive mix of film-trailer dramatics and operatic vocals is instantly recognisable.

It's taken from his new EP - and he told German newspaper Stern, external that the new music reflected the turbulence of his last 12 months.

"So many emotions came together in the time after the victory - from euphoria to a feeling of utter emptiness," he said.

"Then there was also losing some longtime companions, while simultaneously gaining new ones. Ultimately, it was learning who your real friends are and who aren't - all of that gradually transformed into songs for this EP.

"So it's really a summary of what will surely always be a very special year in my life, and it's propelled me incredibly far as an artist."

Mark Savage
Music correspondent, at the semi-final

All 17 of tonight's acts have now performed. And the voting has closed.

While we wait for the all-important results to come in, here's a look at the most striking images from the final third of the show:

Image source, EPA

Image source, EPA

Listening to Australian star Delta Goodrem perform her power ballad Eclipse, it's hard to believe that, eight years ago, she had to relearn how to talk and sing, after surgery on her salivary gland left her with a paralysed tongue.

Fully recovered, she blew the audience away with her soaring, technically flawless vocals.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, EPA

Image source, EPA

There's a personal story behind Albania's entry, Nân. Sung by Alis, it tells the story of a mother standing on the doorstep, waiting for her child to return home from another country.

It's a familiar story in his country where, since the fall of communism in 1991, about 40% of the population has emigrated to find a better life.

Image source, EPA

Image source, Getty Images

Mark Savage
Music correspondent, at the semi-final

Ooh Aah, a little bit more now from Rylan Clark and Angela Scanlon (pictured above), who have left their voice-over booth to take part in a Eurovision quiz - watch live above.

Titled "Douze Points", it sees the presenters pitted against their commentating counterparts in a test of song contest trivia.

As you might know, Rylan has an encyclopaedic knowledge of Eurovision songs, so this section presents the UK's most realistic chance of winning something this year.

The vote has now closed.

We will soon be finding out which 10 acts will secure their spot in the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 on Saturday.

Mark Savage
Music correspondent

We've now heard from all of tonight's acts, which means voting lines are now open.

You can make up to 10 selections, either on esc.vote, external or on the official Eurovision app. It will be open for approximately 15 minutes.

Readers outside the UK may also be able to vote by phone or SMS.

As a reminder, you cannot vote for the UK, France or Austria - as they automatically qualify.

While the calls pour in, our hosts are treating us to an impromptu version of The Pointer Sisters' I'm So Excited (because, you see, they are so excited about the voting).

During the dress rehearsal, I wrote one sentence in my notebook for this section: "What fresh hell is this?"

In other words, this would be a perfect time to call the cat in, or make a cup of tea.

Mark Savage
Music correspondent, at the semi-final

Image source, Getty Images

Over on social media, viewers have had a mixed response to the UK entry.

"Really weird that the UK goes with German numbers, I love it," writes Annie on Bluesky.

But German Eurovision fan Amy isn't feeling it. "The UK seems to have no interest in winning this year, or even in another second place," she writes, referring to Sam Ryder's result in 2023.

On Threads, there's some positivity. "Much better than last year," says one viewer.

"UK might actually get some points," agrees Dan.

Reddit user blackheartwhiterose criticises the staging. "Love the song. Love the video. But this looks weirdly dark and the camera work feels off," they observe.

"I kinda respect the UK saying 'ehhhh screw it' this year," laughs Amanda back on Bluesky (I'm paraphrasing her slightly, due to swearing).

It'll be interesting to see how voters react on Saturday. At the moment, bookmakers have Look Mum No Computer right in the middle of the field.

Which, based on recent years, isn't a bad place for the UK to be.

Mark Savage
Music correspondent, at the semi-final

Shortly, the UK's act - Look Mum No Computer - will take to the stage.

But why is his song called Eins, Zwei, Drei? Well, who better to ask than then man himself?

And, I did - find out the story behind the idea:

Mark Savage
Music correspondent, at the semi-final

The performances keep coming - here are some more of the standout moments so far:

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, EPA

One of two singers to start their performance upside down, Armenia's Simón emerged from an elevator to give his boss the fright of his life in the anti-work anthem, Paloma Rumba.

Fun fact: All the post-it notes on his costume were customised by fellow Eurovision contestants.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, EPA

Image source, EPA

Latvia's Atvara gave one of the night's most emotional performances. Her song Ēnā addresses the lasting emotional impact of growing up with an alcoholic parent.

As she sang, her shadow transformed from her adult self to the young child who was still living with those consequences.

Up next, it's Australia!

Mark Savage
Music correspondent

Well, we weren't expecting that... British pop duo Jemini, who scored zero points back in 2003, got a brief (if unflattering) namecheck in a sketch about Eurovision's 70th anniversary.

The video acknowledged the contest's importance to the LGBTQ+ community - and the eight winners who've represented them, starting with French singer Jean-Claude Pascal in 1961.

But it also took a moment to reflect on the contest's over-reliance on wind machines, and the various singers who've gone off-key during the live show.

To illustrate the latter point, they flashed up a video of Jemini's disastrous performance of Cry Baby.

Thankfully, the singers have put that all behind them. Cry Baby became a popular request at Eurovision parties, and the duo even turned up to perform it in Liverpool, when the contest landed in the UK three years ago.

• Read more about Jemini's redemption arc

Pete Allison
BBC Newsbeat

Image source, Getty Images

This year, the UK has two chances to win at Eurovision.

In addition to our own contestant, Look Mum No Computer, we can cheer for Antigoni Buxton - a London-born singer with Greek-Cypriot roots, who is representing Cyprus.

She'll be performing very shortly, which you can watch live above.

Her entry uses traditional Greek instruments and references the popular belly dance Tsifteteli.

And, she says the title of her song, Jalla - Cypriot-Greek slang which roughly translates as "more" or "again" - has a "special" significance.

"So it's a specific word that they only use in Cyprus," says Antigoni.

"I am really proud to be able to share that, because sharing my roots is something I do across all my music."

Her name will ring a bell for fans of Love Island. She appeared in the eighth series, until a surprise elimination saw her evicted from the villa after just 25 days. Hopefully she'll fare better in tonight's vote.

• Read more in my interview with Antigoni.

Mark Savage
Music correspondent, at the semi-final

We've just heard the first five songs, which means there's still plenty left to go until voting opens for the second semi-final.

Here are some of the most dynamic images of the night so far:

Image source, EPA

Image source, EPA

Image source, EBU / Sarah Louise Bennett

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, EPA

Mark Savage
Music correspondent, at the semi-final

Image source, SHUTTERSTOCK

It's the show's 70th anniversary, but the celebrations have been overshadowed by a ferocious row over Israel's participation.

As the delegations gather in Austria, five competition regulars will be absent, with Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain all boycotting the event.

Israel's presence has sparked controversy since its government began a massive military offensive in Gaza in October 2023.

During the most recent Eurovision contests in Malmö (2024) and Basel (2025), anti-Israel protesters filled the streets and Israel's participants were given armed guards.

Some countries claimed the public tally had been influenced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government's official social media channels, who had repeatedly urged followers to vote for New Day Will Rise - an unusual step for a government.

At a meeting last November, several countries tried to force a vote on Israel's presence at the contest. When the proposal failed, the withdrawals included Spain, one of the contest's biggest financial supporters, and seven-time winners Ireland.

It has left fans in a quandary.

• Read more on Israel’s participation in the contest here.

Mark Savage
Music correspondent, at the semi-final

Image source, Getty Images

Tonight’s semi-final has a couple of themes: Big ballads, operatic vocals and lots and lots of rope - you can watch it all live above.

We won't be providing running commentary until Saturday's final - but here are some highlights to look out for tonight:

The show opens with Bulgaria, whose singer Dara exclaims: "Welcome to the riot," as she executes some dynamic chair choreography, with sly glances to the camera.

Her song Bangaranga is one of my favourites - a nonsensical typhoon of tropical pop, based around a piece of Jamaican patois that means "a joyful kind of disorder".

Representing Romania, Alexandra Căpitănescu has provoked controversy with the lyrics to her song Choke Me. Campaigners have criticised the track for glamourising sexual violence - but Alexandra says it's really about suffocating under the weight of society's expectations.

Representing her desire to break free of those constraints, she performs while tethered to two guitarists by giant neon skipping ropes. We'll be seeing a lot of that behaviour over the next 90 minutes.

Both Armenia and the UK have entered songs about hating your job.

The former, entitled Paloma Rumba, is the more sinister of the two, with 31-year-old Simón bursting out of an elevator like he's about to give the boss a piece of his mind.

While Ramsgate synth act representing the UK, Look Mum No Computer, take a more zany approach on the herky-jerky stomp of Eins, Zwei, Drei.

More soothing is Australia's Delta Goodrem, whose ballad Eclipse is all about all-encompassing love, and comes with a spectacular key change.

And we'll also hear from Danish star Søren Torpegaard Lund, who is one of the favourites to win, with Før Vi Går Hje. A charismatic ballad that slips into club mode, it has reminded some fans of Ariana Grande's classic One More Time.

Mark Savage
Music correspondent, at the semi-final

Image source, Getty Images

We're now fully under way with tonight's semi-final. After a novel introduction from our hosts in Austria, it's almost time for the music to begin.

We have 18 acts taking to the stage tonight, of which five will be disqualified.

It's often considered a disadvantage to perform first - but, just like Tuesday's semi-final, organisers have put one of the night's most energetic performers in pole position as an antidote to the curse.

The UK, France and Austria will all qualify automatically - here's a reminder of why this is the case.

And, below is the running order for this evening:

• Bulgaria: Dara - Bangaranga
• Azerbaijan: Jiva - Just Go
• Romania: Alexandra Căpitănescu - Choke Me
• Luxembourg: Eva Marija - Mother Nature
• Czechia: Daniel Zizka - Crossroads
• France: Monroe - Regarde!
• Armenia: Simón - Paloma Rumba
• Switzerland: Veronica Fusaro - Alice
• Cyprus: Antigoni - Jalla
• Austria: Cosmó - Tanzschein
• Latvia: Atvara - Ēnā
• Denmark: Søren Torpegaard Lund - Før Vi Går Hjem
• Australia: Delta Goodrem - Eclipse
• Ukraine: LELÉKA - Ridnym
• United Kingdom: Look Mum No Computer - Eins, Zwei, Drei
• Albania: Alis - Nân
• Malta: Aidan - Bella
• Norway: Jonas Lovv - Ya Ya Ya

Mark Savage
Music correspondent, at the semi-final

Image source, EBU / Corinne Cumming

The second semi-final opens with a recreation of last year's winning song, Wasted Love, by Austrian singer JJ.

As in Basel, the song begins on a little raft cast adrift on the sea. But the singer is trapped under a blanket... then he fluffs his vocal.

Things keep going wrong until it's revealed that we're not watching JJ at all, but our hosts Michael Ostrowski and Victoria Swarovski.

As the song progresses, Michael gets swept overboard and shoots a distress flare into the Wiener Stadthalle, causing a spotlight to crash to the ground and set everything on fire.

Now, that's how you start a show.

Image source, EBU / Sarah Louise Bennett

Guiding us through tonight's show are Austrian media personalities Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski.

As you may have guessed, Victoria is part of the world-renowned Swarovski family, known for their jewellery and luxury goods brands.

But she's a singer and dancer in her own right.

She won the Austrian version of Strictly Come Dancing 10 years ago, before going on to become one of the show's main presenters.

Ostrowski is an actor, writer and director with more than 40 film credits to his name, including 2010's comedy Die unabsichtliche Entführung der Frau Elfriede Ott(The Unintentional Abduction of Mrs Elfriede Ott), for which he won the Austrian Film Award for best screenplay.

The second semi-final of this year's Eurovision Song Contest has just begun - watch live above.

As a reminder, there will be 18 performances tonight, including the UK's Look Mum No Computer.

Ten acts - out of the 15 whose position in the final is not guaranteed - will qualify.

Sit back, get comfortable, and enjoy the show.

We won't be providing running commentary on this page, but stick with us for some key updates throughout the night.

Hosting a party or raiding the dress-up box for anything sparkly? Or, maybe both? We want to hear all about your Eurovision plans.

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