The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 begins in Vienna tonight, with the first semi-final taking place amid increased security measures and ongoing controversy surrounding Israel’s participation.
This year marks the 70th edition of the competition, with Austria hosting the event after singer JJ won Eurovision 2025 with the song Wasted Love, reports RTE.
However, this year’s contest is taking place under unusual circumstances, with RTÉ among several broadcasters boycotting the competition.
RTÉ confirmed in December that Ireland would neither compete in nor broadcast the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest after the European Broadcasting Union confirmed that Israel would be permitted to participate, reports RTE.
In a statement issued at the time, RTÉ said Ireland’s participation remained “unconscionable” because of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and expressed concern over the targeted killing of journalists during the conflict as well as the continued denial of access to international media in Gaza.
Despite the controversy surrounding this year’s event, the competition officially begins tonight with 15 countries taking part in the first semi-final, reports RTE.
The participating countries are Moldova, Sweden, Croatia, Greece, Portugal, Georgia, Finland, Montenegro, Estonia, Israel, Belgium, Lithuania, San Marino, Poland and Serbia. Germany and Italy, who automatically qualify for Saturday’s Grand Final, will also perform and vote during the show.
The lead-up to Tuesday’s semi-final has also been overshadowed by a formal warning issued to Israeli broadcaster KAN after promotional videos encouraging viewers to “vote 10 times for Israel” were released by the artist representing the broadcaster, reports RTE.
Eurovision Song Contest director Martin Green said encouraging viewers to use all ten available votes on one act was not consistent with the competition’s rules or spirit. He said the videos were removed after the Israeli delegation was contacted and confirmed KAN had received a formal warning.
Thursday’s second semi-final will feature Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Romania, Luxembourg, Czechia, Armenia, Switzerland, Cyprus, Latvia, Denmark, Australia, Ukraine, Albania, Malta and Norway competing for the remaining places in Saturday’s Grand Final. Host nation Austria, alongside France and the United Kingdom, will also perform and vote during the show, reports RTE.
Police in Vienna are also preparing for demonstrations linked to Israel’s involvement in the contest, with protests expected throughout Eurovision week.
Authorities said drones will be prohibited within a 1.5km radius of venues including the contest arena, while cybersecurity measures and airport-style security checks will also be implemented, reports RTE.
Police said there is currently no specific threat directed at the competition, although Austria’s national terrorism alert level remains at its second-highest setting.
The first semi-final takes place tonight ahead of the second semi-final on Thursday and Saturday’s Grand Final, reports RTE.
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