Bbc eurovision 2026 coverage

The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest will take place on May 16 in Vienna, Austria, celebrating its 70th edition with an impressive lineup and enhanced accessibility features.

The Grand Final will showcase 25 countries competing for the coveted title, while the Semi-Finals are set for May 12 and 14. This year, the UK act LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER will perform, adding to the excitement surrounding the event. With a pre-qualified status as one of the ‘Big Four’ countries, the UK is poised to make a significant impact.

Key statistics:

• The Grand Final starts at 8 PM local time.
• A total of 35 countries will participate in Eurovision 2026.
• 10 contestants will be eliminated during the Semi-Finals.
• The average audience for the Grand Final last year was 7.1 million viewers.

Graham Norton returns as host for the Grand Final, expressing his enthusiasm: “It feels really special to be back, gently guiding viewers through this very momentous 70th anniversary year.” Meanwhile, Rylan Clark and Angela Scanlon will take charge during the Semi-Finals. Clark remarked, “It’s the biggest show on the planet. Being part of anything this big is something younger me could never have imagined.”

In an effort to promote inclusivity, this year’s broadcasts will feature Live Audio Description and British Sign Language interpretation. Kalpna Patel-Knight from BBC Studios stated, “The BBC continues to be the home of Eurovision in the UK…we’re once again offering a treasure trove of brilliant content for audiences to enjoy.”

The opening act of the Grand Final will spotlight last year’s winner, JJ, setting a celebratory tone for what promises to be an unforgettable night. As anticipation builds leading up to May 16, fans are eager to see how this historic event unfolds in Vienna.