After all Eurovision 2026 songs were revealed, anticipation builds around the semi-final running order. Ahead of the official reveal, Euromix predicts how the performances will be arranged.
With the conclusion of the reveal of all 35 participating songs in Eurovision 2026 last weekend, the next stage awaited by fans and delegations alike is the announcement of the running order for the two semi-finals. The draw allocating countries to each semi-final already took place this past January, and the official reveal is expected to occur on the Eurovision’s official YouTube channel in the coming days. Until then, we listened to all 35 selected songs and made our prediction – what will the running order of the two semi-finals look like?
It is important to note that while the allocation draw of participating countries into semi-finals is significant, the running order is no less crucial. In a show featuring a wide variety of performances, a song performed later tends to be more memorable and therefore has a higher chance of receiving votes. Additionally, the songs surrounding each entry can influence how it is perceived – an upbeat pop track placed between two ballads will stand out more than in a sequence of party songs.
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:
In the first semi-final, 15 countries will compete: in the first half – Georgia, Portugal, Croatia, Sweden, Finland, Moldova, and Greece. In the second half – Montenegro, Estonia, San Marino, Poland, Belgium, Lithuania, Serbia, and Israel. Typically, the production chooses an energetic song to open the show to quickly engage viewers. Four countries could fulfill this role: Greece, Sweden, Moldova, and Georgia. Since the production tends to reserve fan favorites for more “desirable” slots, it is reasonable to assume Sweden and Greece will not open the show.
The closing slot also traditionally features an energetic song to end the show “on a high note.” Here as well, four countries meet this criterion: Montenegro, San Marino, Belgium, and Israel. There is a strong chance we will see Noam Bettan performing in slot number 15, although San Marino could also receive this honor, especially to spotlight the major star expected to appear on stage, Boy George. Another reasonable possibility is that Montenegro will close the show, giving it a boost to reach the final and encouraging continued participation, as happened with Luxembourg in 2024.
Another important detail to remember is that starting from 2024, the “Big Five” (or this year, “Big Four”) – countries and the host, those that automatically qualify for the final also perform during the semi-finals. The official aim is to familiarize casual viewers with the songs at this stage, but it also undoubtedly provides the production with greater flexibility and variety. In this semi-final, Germany and Italy will perform. It is harder to predict their placement since they were not drawn into a specific half, but it is reasonable to assume they will be split between the two halves.
Betting: What the First Semi-Final Will Look Like
The list was compiled with an attempt to consider song styles, diversity, and favoritism. However, it may change depending on staging complexity and the logistics of set construction and dismantling in real time.
Second Semi-Final:
The second semi-final also features 15 countries: in the first half – Armenia,Czechia , Romania, Switzerland, Azerbaijan, Luxembourg, and Georgia. In the second half – Albania, Denmark, Cyprus, Norway, Malta, Australia, Ukraine, and Latvia. Based on the same criteria as the first semi-final, this semi includes a considerable number of ballads, meaning energetic songs may stand out more prominently. Among the options to open the evening, the most likely candidates for the first slot are Bulgaria and Armenia.
At first glance, Cyprus and Norway appear to be the natural candidates to close the show—both are energetic songs that could effectively end the evening. However, a major star is also set to perform here, Delta Goodrem. While her song may not be a typical closing number, it is quite possible she will nonetheless be given the honor of ending the show.
In the second semi-final, three countries already qualified for the final will perform: France, the United Kingdom, and host Austria. As with previous years, it is difficult to predict their exact placement, but it is reasonable to assume that one song will appear in the first half and two in the second.
Betting: What the second Semi-Final Will Look Like
Eurovision 2026: the 70th edition of the contest will take place in Vienna, Austria, on May 12th, 14th, and 16th, 2026. The Wiener Stadthalle arena, which will host the event, is expected to accommodate around 16,000 spectators per show. The contest returns to Austria following the nation’s third historic win with the song “Wasted Love”, performed by JJ. It will be Austria’s third time hosting Eurovision, after previous editions held in the country in 1967 and 2015.
