Eurovision Song Contest 2026
By David Chelly, 22 January 2026
Eurovision 2026 takes place in Vienna, Austria, at the Wiener Stadthalle, for the 70th edition of the contest organised by the European Broadcasting Union. Following Austria's win in 2025, the capital once again takes on the role of host city, bringing together the public rehearsals, the two semi-finals and the grand final over the course of a week.
Dates and host city
The semi-finals take place on 12 and 14 May 2026, followed by the final on 16 May 2026, with the week kicking off on 11 May for the main rehearsals and the first shows open to the public. The official opening and public events also spread across the city, notably around the Rathausplatz, allowing people to experience the atmosphere even without a ticket to the arena.
Contest format
Each participating country sends a song performed live. Qualification is decided in the semi-finals, and the final brings together the qualified countries, the host country and the automatically qualified countries. The result combines public votes and national juries, balancing popularity, performance and more technical musical aspects.
Participating countries
The contest is open to EBU member broadcasters. The list of participating countries varies from year to year, as each broadcaster decides whether or not to take part. In France, participation is handled by France Télévisions, through either a national selection or an internal appointment, depending on the channel's choices and the artistic project.
Tickets and access
Ticket sales are structured to limit illegal resale and to prioritise fans, using an Eurofan account and staggered sales waves, with digital tickets. Seats sell out quickly, and the organisers recommend going only through official channels and the platforms designated by the event.
How to watch in France
The contest is broadcast free-to-air on television and on broadcasters' platforms, covering the semi-finals and the final, along with additional content about the artists, rehearsals and behind-the-scenes footage. For the exact timings, running order and production announcements, updates published on the official website remain the best reference.
Key facts to know
Eurovision is one of the most-watched non-sporting broadcasts in the world, with a live show designed for an international audience. Contest week in Vienna alternates between televised shows and events around the city, offering a complete experience between the stage, fan zones and public entertainment.