Watch the first Eurovision Song Contest 2026 semi-final live from Vienna
Tonight's show features performances from Sweden, Croatia and current favourites, Finland, along with 12 other nations.
www.bbc.comHere are the latest updates on Eurovision semi-finals.
- The first semi-final took place in Vienna, with Finland, Greece, and Israel among the notable competitors aiming for a spot in the final. News outlets covered running order, performances, and any voting irregularities tied to Israel’s entry this year.[1][2]
- Israel received a formal warning from Eurovision organizers over a social-media call to vote multiple times, a controversy that dominated coverage around the semi-final.[2][1]
- Coverage highlighted that the “Big Five” countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom) contribute to the final lineup, while some participants and observers discussed the broader debate surrounding Israel’s participation this year.[5][2]
If you’d like, I can pull in more details on:
- Which specific countries qualified from the first semi-final this year.
- The running order and standout performances from the night.
- Reactions and implications for the second semi-final and the final.
Would you like me to summarize the official qualifiers and the key moments from the semi-final that just aired?[5]