Vienna, Monday 12 January 2026

• Semi-Final Draw for 70th Eurovision Song Contest took place at the Rathaus in Vienna, Austria.
• 35 broadcasters will participate in Eurovision Song Contest 2026.
• 30 broadcasters allocated into First Semi-Final (15 countries) and Second Semi-Final (15 countries), based on historical voting patterns.
• Top 10 countries from each Semi-Final progress to the Grand Final on 16 May 2026.
• A “friendship gift” was given from Basel to Vienna – a carnival lantern
• Vienna is hosting the Eurovision Song Contest for the third time, following Austria’s third win with JJ’s "Wasted Love" in 2025.
• 70th Eurovision Song Contest takes place on 12, 14, and 16 May 2025 at the Wien Stadthalle.
• Semi-Final Draw broadcast live by ORF and official Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel.

The line-up for the Semi-Finals of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest has been decided by a draw preceded by an official handover ceremony at the Rathaus in this year’s Host City, Vienna.

30 of the 35 participating broadcasters were allocated to compete in either the First Semi-Final or Second Semi-Final (15 in the First Semi-Final, 15 in the Second Semi-Final).

They had been divided into 5 pots, based on historical voting patterns as calculated by the Contest's official voting partner Once.*

The results of the Semi-Final Draw were as follows:

FIRST SEMI-FINAL (12 MAY)

First Half:

Georgia (GPB)
Portugal (RTP)
Croatia (HRT)
Sweden (SVT)
Finland (YLE)
Moldova (TRM)
Greece (ERT)

Second Half:

Montenegro (RTCH)
Estonia (ERR)
San Marino (RTV)
Poland (TVP)
Belgium (RTBF)
Lithuania (LRT)
Serbia (RTS)
Israel (KAN)

SECOND SEMI-FINAL (14 MAY)

First Half:

Armenia (AMPTV)
Romania (TVR)
Switzerland (SRG SSR)
Azerbaijan (Ictimai)
Luxembourg (RTL)
Bulgaria (BNT)
Czechia (CT)

Second Half:

Albania (RTSH)
Denmark (DR)
Cyprus (CyBC)
Norway (NRK)
Malta (PBS)
Australia (SBS)
Ukraine (Suspilne)
Latvia (LSM

The precise running order for the two Semi-Finals will be determined by the end of March.

After combining the results of the audience and jury vote, the Top 10 countries from each Semi-Final will progress to join 5 pre-qualified countries in the Grand Final on Saturday 16 May.

France (FTV), Germany (ARD/SWR), Italy (Rai), the United Kingdom (BBC) and last year’s winner Austria (ORF) automatically qualify for the Grand Final, however they are each required to broadcast and vote in one of the Semi-Finals.

Accordingly, a draw was also held to decide the 2 countries who will perform and vote in the First Semi-Final (Germany, Italy) and the 3 who will perform and vote in the Second Semi-Final (Austria, France, United Kingdom).

“CREATIVITY AND CONNECTION”

The draws were overseen by the Eurovision Song Contest’s Executive Producer (EBU) Gert Kark, ORF’s Programme Director Stefanie Groiss-Horowitz and Thomas Niedermeyer from the EBU’s Voting Partner Once.

“We’re delighted to open a new chapter for the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna in 2026 as we celebrate 70 years,” said Martin Green CBE, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest.

“Together with ORF, Vienna is ready to welcome Europe and the world for the 70th Contest to celebrate music, creativity and connection. With broadcasters from across Europe and beyond taking part, and a global audience that continues to grow, the Eurovision Song Contest remains a truly unique live event. We can’t wait to see the stage come alive in May and to share an extraordinary celebration of 70 years of international music and creativity with hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide.”

Michael Krön, ORF’s Executive Producer for the 2025 Contest said:

“Today's visit from the delegation from Basel was a particularly special moment for our team, as it traditionally symbolizes the official handover from the previous to the current Host City. At the same time, I am very pleased that we are well on schedule with the planning and that all departments are working together seamlessly – exactly as is necessary for a production of this scale.”

CARNIVAL GIFT

As part of the handover, the President of the City of Basel, Conradin Cramer gave a specially created carnival lantern as a “friendship gift” to Mayor of Vienna, Michael Ludwig.

Basel's Carnival (Basler Fasnacht) is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage event and a defining feature of the city's identity. The lantern was carried across Vienna by a costumed carnival group before being gifted to the city. As they walked, two drummers and five pipers played traditional carnival marches, as well as new interpretations of Te Deum - the Eurovision theme tune.

This symbolic gesture marks the official handover of the honour and responsibility for hosting the Eurovision Song Contest from the last Host City, Basel, to Vienna.

Vienna is hosting the Eurovision Song Contest for the third time following Austria’s 3rd win with JJ’s “Wasted Love” last May.

The Mayor of Vienna Michael Ludwig said: “It’s on! With today’s Semi-Final Draw, we are taking a major step closer to the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna. Alongside a spectacular show at the Wiener Stadthalle, there will be many free events across Vienna to make this event accessible to all residents of Vienna as well as to all visitors.”

“As we saw in Basel, the Song Contest will not only be a fantastic celebration, but also an important boost for Vienna’s economy and tourism. The Eurovision Village at Rathausplatz – in the heart of our city - will send a visible message of unity to the world - something very important in these turbulent times.

“The Eurovision Song Contest is a highlight of our year. Vienna will become the world stage of entertainment once more and do everything possible to ensure that all visitors can celebrate a wonderful and safe festival together. Vienna will once again show that it is a great host for people from all over the world, where everyone can feel welcome and safe.”

The Semi Final Draw was held at the Rathaus in Vienna, organized by 2026 host broadcaster ORF and the City of Vienna and presented by ORF presenter Alexandra Maritza Wachter and Austria’s 2018 representative Cesár Sampson who finished 3rd at the Contest in Lisbon.

The 70th Eurovision Song Contest will take place on 12, 14 and 16 May at the Wien Stadthalle.

The Semi-Final Draw was broadcast live by ORF and on the official Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel.

*Since 2004 Once, formally known as digame, has been the official voting partner of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and responsible for the centralized televoting via telephone, SMS, and online.. Drawing from different pots is a method practiced by the Eurovision Song Contest.