EBU reveals Eurovision semi-final allocation draw, grouping 30 countries by voting patterns to limit bloc voting and enhance competition drama.
As every year, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) conducts an allocation draw to determine the semi-final participation of the competing countries. This year, following the withdrawal of the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, Ireland, and Iceland, 30 countries are expected to compete in the two semi-finals and were divided into five different pots (with the sixth pot consisting of countries automatically qualified for the Grand Final).
The allocation is based on historical voting patterns between countries over the years and is intended to reduce neighbor and diaspora voting in order to increase suspense around the show, according to the official statement released.
Voting Patterns and Allocation Logic
Each of the six pots contains countries that share a common pattern of mutual voting at the Eurovision Song Contest or close geographical proximity. Each pot will be split in two: half of the countries will compete in the first semi-final, and the other half in the second semi-final.
The objective is to prevent countries from voting collectively for one another during the semi-finals and to avoid the creation of a “bloc” that would allow certain countries to qualify automatically for the Grand Final through regional voting.
Pots Allocation Breakdown
Pot A
Albania
Bulgaria
Croatia
Montenegro
Serbia
Switzerland
Pot B
Australia
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
Norway
Sweden
Pot C
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Georgia
Israel
Poland
Ukraine
Pot D
Belgium
Czech Republic
Luxembourg
Moldova
Portugal
Romania
Pot E
Cyprus
Greece
Latvia
Lithuania
Malta
San Marino
Pot F – Automatically Qualified for the Grand Final
Italy
United Kingdom
Germany
France
Austria
Semi-Final Draw Date and Performance Order
The semi-final allocation draw will take place on January 12, next Monday. The host country (Austria) and the five major countries that automatically qualify for the Grand Final (United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, and France) will each be assigned to one of the semi-finals in which they will vote, and during which they will also perform their songs.
Subsequently, the remaining 30 countries will each be allocated to the semi-final in which they will compete, and it will also be revealed whether each country will perform in the first half of the show (among the opening performances) or in the second half (among the later performances).
The official running order will be determined later by the production team, as has been the practice since Eurovision 2013. The semi-final running order can have a significant impact, as songs performed later in the evening tend to be more memorable and therefore receive higher points.
Host City Key Ceremony
During the draw ceremony, the traditional host city key handover will also take place between Basel and Vienna. The transfer of keys is a long-standing tradition held annually, in which the mayor of the previous host city formally hands over the city keys to the mayor of the new host city.
Eurovision 2026: This will be Austria’s 58th participation in Eurovision. Austria joined the competition in 1957 and has won three times over the years. Austria’s last victory was in Eurovision 2025 with the song “Wasted Love” performed by singer JJ.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +972-53-9514754
A writer and content creator with a strong specialization in the Eurovision scene, particularly across Eastern Europe and post-Soviet countries. His work highlights the artistry, storytelling, and cultural variety that define the contest, offering readers a deeper look into both established performers and emerging voices.
As a skilled translator and polyglot, he brings a unique linguistic and cultural understanding to his analysis and coverage..
