Get ready to hear catchy pop tunes, elaborate costumes and political voting as countries across Europe fight for a place in the final of Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna. Semifinal 1 is on May 12 and below is our guide on how to watch Eurovision 2026 for free, from anywhere, including Ireland and Spain!
While it will be Graham Norton who will present that grand final for you this weekend, it is up to Rylan and Angela Scanlon to present the semi-finals this week or, if you prefer, you can listen to Sara Cox on the BBC Sounds app.
There are ten places up for grabs in each semi-final, but you don’t have to worry about missing out as we can tell you exactly. how to watch Eurovision Song Contest semi-final 1 on television, online and through free broadcasts around the world.
How to watch Eurovision 2026 for FREE
Viewers in the UK will be able to watch all the proceedings and see which way the vote goes. Tuesday, May 12 BBC one at 8 pm Pacific time.
You can also tune the free streaming on BBC iPlayer and watch all the Eurovision programs live at no cost except for a television license.
Are you traveling abroad? Use this VPN (and save 75%) to access your usual streaming services from abroad. It works very well in Spain or Ireland, where Eurovision is not broadcast.
How to watch Eurovision 2026 from anywhere
For those who are far from home and want to see Eurovision 2026You will not be able to watch the show normally if you are outside the UK due to regional restrictions. Downloading a VPN allows you to stream geo-blocked services online; our favorite is NordVPN
Use a VPN to watch Eurovision Song Contest 2026 from anywhere:
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How to watch Eurovision semi-final 1 in the UK
How to watch the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 online around the world
How to watch Eurovision Song Contest 2026 Semifinal 1 online in the US
It may be a song contest for European countries, but music fans in the United States can still follow it. Eurovision Song Contest 2026 semi-final 1 will be played on Peacock in the united states
You can get Peacock for free when you sign up for Walmart Plus ($1 for the first 30 days).
If you don’t have access to Peacock, you can also watch it on the official Eurovision YouTube channel.
British Abroad? Anyone from the UK traveling abroad who wants to watch their usual free streaming service from abroad can do so using a VPN.
How to watch semi-final 1 of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Australia
There’s also no reason to miss out just because you live in Australia. People with a predilection for pop music can watch Eurovision Song Contest 2026 semi-final 1 in S.B.S. and SBS on demand.
Are you not at home? Anyone who is busy traveling abroad and wants to watch their usual free streaming service from abroad can do so using a VPN.
Can I watch Eurovision 2026 in Ireland?
Irish state broadcaster RTE has confirmed it will not broadcast this year’s edition Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. RTE joins Spain and Slovenia in boycotting the event due to the inclusion of Israel. However, you can use this VPN to watch BBC iPlayer from abroad, if you’re stuck in Ireland, Spain or Slovenia. You will need a TV license and a UK address to register.
What you need to know about the Eurovision Song Contest 2026
Which countries participate and when?
Here are the 15 nations involved in Tuesday night’s first semi-final:
- Moldova: Satoshi – Long live Moldova!
- Sweden: FELICIA – My System
- Croatia: LELEK – Andromeda
- Greece: Akylas – Ferto
- Portugal: Singing Bandits – Pink
- Georgia: Bzikebi – On repeat
- Italy: Sal Da Vinci – Per Semper Sì (Big Four – Qualifies for the Grand Final)
- Finland: Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen – Liekinheitin
- Montenegro: Tamara Živković – Nova Zora
- Estonia: Vanilla Ninja: Too epic to be true
- Israel: Noam Bettan – Michelle
- Germany: Sarah Engels – Fire – (Big Four – Qualifies for the Grand Final)
- Belgium: ESSYLA – Dancing on the ice
- Lithuania: León Ceccah – I Just Want More
- San Marino: SENHIT – Superstar
- Poland: ALICJA – Pray
- Serbia: LAVINA – Kraj Mene
And here are the other countries competing on Thursday night:
- Bulgaria: DARA – Bangaranga
- Azerbaijan: JIVA – Just go
- Romania: Alexandra Capitănescu – Choke Me
- Luxembourg: Eva Marija – Mother Nature
- Czechia: Daniel Zizka – CROSSROADS
- France: Monroe – Respect! (Big Four – Qualifies for the Grand Final)
- Armenia: SIMON – Paloma Rumba
- Swiss: Veronica Fusaro – Alicia
- Cyprus: Antigoni – JALLA
- Austria: COSMÓ – Tanzschein (Host Country – Qualifies for the Grand Final)
- Latvia: Atvara – Ēnā
- Denmark: Søren Torpegaard Lund – Før Vi Går Hjem
- Australia: Delta Goodrem – Eclipse
- Ukraine: LELEKA – Ridnym
- United Kingdom: WATCH MOM WITHOUT A COMPUTER – Eins, Zwei, Drei – (Big Four – Qualifies for the Grand Final)
- Albania: Alis – Nân
- Malta: AIDAN-Bella
- Norway: JONAS LOVV – NOW, NOW, NOW
Who won the Eurovision Song Contest 2025?
Austria won the contest last year thanks to the song “Wasted Love” performed by JJ (Johannes Pietsch).
He obtained 436 points in total, after winning the jury vote and coming in fourth place through the televoting system.
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