Following the recent semi-final draw, it was determined what countries will participate in each semi-final of Eurovision 2026 in Vienna. Watch the full draw results below
The traditional Eurovision host city exchange ceremony took place between Basel and Vienna. Conradin Cramer, Head of Government of the Canton of Basel-Stadt, handed over the Eurovision insignia to Michael Ludwig, the Mayor of Vienna. The ceremony was hosted by news presenter Alexandra Maritza Wachter along with Cesár Sampson, Austria’s 2018 representetive at Eurovision, who achived 3rd place. This annual ceremony marks the symbolic transfer of hosting responsibilities from the previous host city to the new one.
Moreover, during the semi-final draw, it was decided for each country in which Semi final of Eurovision 2026 they’ll perform. The exact position for each country will be determined by the Eurovision production team based on the style of the songs relative to the other selected entries over the next two months. This strategic positioning aims to avoid viewer fatigue, for instance, by preventing a sequence where several similar style songs are performed consecutively.
Additionally, the draw determined which semi-final the host country Ausria and the ‘Big Four’ countries that automatically qualify for the final—Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany and France—will vote in.
First Semi-Final – May 12:
In the first semi-final, 15 countries will compete.
First Part (songs 1-7)
- Georgia
- Portugal
- Croatia
- Sweden
- Finland
- Moldova
- Greece
Second Part (songs 8-15)
- Montenegro
- Estonia
- San Marino
- Poland
- Belgium
- Lithuania
- Serbia
- Israel
Germany and Italy will also perform and vote in the first semi-final.
Second Semi-Final – May 14:
The second semi-final will feature 15 countries.
First Part (songs 1-7)
- Armenia
- Romania
- Switzerland
- Azerbaijan
- Luxembourg
- Bulgaria
- Czechia
Second Part (songs 8-15)
- Albania
- Denmark
- Cyprus
- Norway
- Malta
- Australia
- Ukraine
- Latvia
France, United Kingdom and Austria will perform and vote in the second semi-final.
Rewatch the Semi-Final draw:
Eurovision 2025: This will be Switzerland’s 65th participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Switzerland joined the competition in 1956, being one of the seven founding countries, and has won three times over the years. Its most recent victory was at the last Eurovision in 2025, with Nemo’s song “The Code.” This win follows Switzerland’s previous victory in 1988 with the song “Ne partez pas sans moi,” performed by international singer Céline Dion.
