A final decision on Israel’s participation will be made in about five weeks, but when will the official list of Eurovision 2026 participants be announced?
December 10th may become one of the most decisive days of the current Eurovision season. At the conclusion of the EBU General Assembly, the final details of the participating countries in the 70th Eurovision Song Contest, which will be held in Vienna, are expected to be unveiled. Fans, singers, and songwriters across Europe are asking: how many countries will participate in Eurovision, who will withdraw, and what will happen with Israel’s participation? According to the Austrian national broadcaster ORF, these details are likely to be revealed on December 10th.
December 10th: The date for the final country list?
Last year, December 10th was the date chosen by the EBU to formally announce updates to the competition’s regulations following their discussion at the General Assembly held on December 5th, 2024. At that time, new guidelines were introduced under the aim of “celebrating community and ensuring well-being”. Among these, the EBU introduced an updated code of conduct requiring all parties to actively prevent harm to artists and ensure a safe space environment. It was also announced that filming zones would be restricted and that performers would have more opportunities for closed rehearsals.
According to a recent report from ORF, it appears that once again this year the EBU will use this date – December 10th – to release the conclusions of the assembly held on December 4th–5th, including the final list of countries competing in Eurovision 2026, following the final decision on Israel’s participation.
Austrian national broadcaster supports Israel’s participation
Last week we reported that the CEO of the Austrian national broadcaster, Ronald Weissmann, reiterated his support for Israel’s participation in the contest. He addressed threats by some participating nations to withdraw if Israel remains in the competition, stating:
“If one or two countries decide not to participate, that’s something we can absolutely handle”.
At the last EBU assembly held in July, Weissmann spoke firmly in favor of Israel’s participation. His supportive remarks also reflected a deep historical connection between Austria and Israel:
“ORF unambiguously supports the participation of the Israeli public broadcaster ‘KAN’ in the Eurovision Song Contest […] I stand by this position and will continue to do so, particularly given Austria’s history”.
This was not merely a personal statement; it was backed by an official decision by the ORF board of directors, which voted overwhelmingly to support Israel’s inclusion. As a result, the network’s position became binding policy. However, Weissmann emphasized that the final decision ultimately rests with the EBU.
Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will take place in Vienna, Austria, following the country’s victory at Eurovision 2025 with the song “Wasted Love” performed by JJ. The competition will be held at the Wiener Stadthalle, the largest indoor arena in Austria. The semifinals are scheduled for May 12th and 14th, and the grand final will take place on May 16th. This will be the third time Vienna hosts the Eurovision Song Contest, having previously hosted it in 1967 and 2015.
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Ilay Gaist is a leading Israeli content creator and writer specializing in the Eurovision Song Contest. He is a well-known commentator with extensive expertise in the contest’s history, rules, and dynamics. His passion for Eurovision drives him to deliver rich, professional, and innovative content to his audience.
Ilay holds a bachelor’s degree in Arabic and has a multilingual background. He also engages in cultural research, with a particular focus on global culinary traditions and the evolution of local cuisines around the world.
