TV, Film & Music

With Eurovision 2026 set to take place in Vienna marking the contest's 70th anniversary, the field of competing nations is rapidly taking shape — though several controversies and withdrawals have already complicated the lineup. Greece has emerged as one of the early frontrunners following its national final on February 15, where Akylas (Akýlas Mytilinaios) won the 'Sing for Greece' competition with his song 'Ferto,' cementing the country's status as a strong contender heading into Vienna.

Several national selections have been marked by turbulence. Ukraine's February 7 final produced winner LELÉKA, but the result was immediately overshadowed by a post-victory controversy that drew public backlash. Bulgaria's Dara similarly faced calls to annul her national selection victory before confirming on approximately February 3 that she would proceed to Vienna. The BBC was forced to drop its originally selected UK act in late January after background checks revealed past inappropriate comments, leaving Britain — one of the automatic Grand Final qualifiers — still searching for a representative. Most significantly, Spain confirmed its withdrawal from Eurovision 2026 entirely, a notable absence given its status as one of the 'Big Five' financial contributors and automatic qualifiers.

On the confirmed entries side, host nation Austria selected 19-year-old Cosmó as its representative, while Cyprus confirmed Antigoni Buxton with 'Jalla,' Latvia's Atvara won the Supernova selection, and Croatia chose Lelek with 'Andromeda.' Romania and Germany are still working through their selection processes, with Germany's jury-based approach drawing political controversy over a submitted song titled 'Yugoslavia.' Hosting logistics are also advancing, with ORF confirming Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski as presenters, and Vienna deploying a 500-agent security operation — though the EBU's planned Eurovision Live Tour 2026 was cancelled in February due to "unforeseen challenges."

Key uncertainties remain significant. The UK has yet to confirm a replacement act following the BBC's late-January dismissal, and Germany's selection remains unresolved amid controversy. Spain's absence reshuffles the competitive and financial dynamics of the contest. A Gaza-related boycott campaign is also building, echoing activism from recent editions, which could affect participation or public perception. With many national selections still ongoing, the full competitive picture will not be clear for some weeks, leaving the question of who will ultimately win Eurovision 2026 wide open.