The Israeli candidate Noam Bettan rehearses his song “Michelle” before the first ESC semi-final in Vienna.Image: keystone
ESC
The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 starts on Tuesday in Vienna with its first semi-final. Some of the heavyweights from this year’s competition are there. Here you can find out when and which performance is planned.
May 12, 2026, 5:10 p.mMay 12, 2026, 5:10 p.m
The first semi-final of the ESC 2026 begins in Vienna at 9 p.m., 15 acts will perform. The starting order was determined by the show’s producer based on dramaturgical considerations. However, the show will not be opened by this year’s participant, but by the Greek-German singer Vicky Leandros.
She performs her song “L’amour est bleu”, with which she competed at the 1967 ESC in Vienna. All candidates then follow in this order:
Republic of Moldova
Song: “Viva, Moldova!”
From: Satoshi
Sweden
Song: «My System»
From: Felicia
Croatia
Song: “Andromeda”
From: Lelek
Greece
Song: “Ferto”
From: Akylas
Portugal
Song: “Pink”
From: Bandidos do Cante
Georgia
Song: “On Replay”
From: Bzikebi
Finland
Song: «Love Unit»
From: Linda Lampenius & Pete Parkkonen
Montenegro
Song: “Nova zora”
From: Tamara Zivković
Estonia
Song: “Too Epic to Be True”
From: Vanilla Ninja
Israel
Song: “Michelle”
From: Noam Bettan
Belgium
Song: “Dancing on the Ice”
From: Essyla
Lithuania
Song: “Sólo quiero más”
From: Lion Ceccah
San Marino
Song: “Superstar”
From: Senhit feat. Boy George
Poland
Song: “Pray”
From: Alicia
Serbia
Song: “Kraj mene”
From: Lavina
Ending
Although Switzerland is not taking part in this semi-final, there are some favorites in Finland, Greece and Israel. Here are the betting odds before the first semi-final:
The moderators Michael Ostrowski and Victoria Swarovski, together with Go-Jo, fill the interruption during the voting with a comedy interlude that makes fun of the frequent confusion between “Austria” and “Australia”. (leo)