Which Countries Are Competing in Eurovision Tonight?

Eurovision 2026 semi-final 1 is here, and the stakes could not be higher. Fifteen countries take the stage Tuesday night at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, each fighting for one of just 10 spots in Saturday’s grand final. Among them are two of the contest’s biggest favorites to lift the trophy  making this opening semi one of the most compelling in recent memory.

The contest turns 70 this year, with Vienna earning hosting duties after JJ’s victory for Austria with “Wasted Love” in Basel 12 months ago. Sunday’s turquoise carpet ceremony officially launched the festivities, drawing delegations from all 35 competing countries and fans who gathered in Vienna to cheer them on.

Who to watch in tonight’s semi-final

Four acts have generated the loudest buzz heading into Tuesday’s show.

Finland’s entry a collaboration between Pete Parkkonen and Linda Lampenius performing “Liekinheitin”  currently sits among the overall favorites to win the entire contest. Greece’s Akylas, performing “Ferto,” draws similar excitement from fans and analysts tracking the odds. Both acts carry genuine momentum into the semi and will need to convert that buzz into votes tonight.

Sweden’s Felicia, competing with “My System,” has also drawn strong attention from Eurovision watchers. However, the act generating perhaps the most organic excitement is Moldova’s Satoshi, whose entry “Viva, Moldova!” topped the audience poll following the jury show in Vienna on Monday evening. A crowd favorite heading in, Satoshi could be the night’s most electric performance.

Then there is San Marino’s entry, which delivers one of the contest’s more eyebrow-raising pairings. Eurovision veteran Senhit teams up with British pop icon Boy George to perform “Superstar” a combination that few saw coming and that many fans are eager to see unfold live.

The full Eurovision 2026 semi-final 1 running order

Tonight’s show features 15 competing countries performing in the following order:

1. Moldova: Satoshi — “Viva, Moldova!”
2. Sweden: Felicia — “My System”
3. Croatia: LELEK — “Andromeda”
4. Greece: Akylas — “Ferto”
5. Portugal: Bandidos do Cante — “Rosa”
6. Georgia: Bzikebi — “On Replay”
7. Finland: Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen — “Liekinheitin”
8. Montenegro: Tamara Živković — “Nova Zora”
9. Estonia: Vanilla Ninja — “Too Epic To Be True”
10. Israel: Noam Bettan — “Michelle”
11. Belgium: ESSYLA — “Dancing on the Ice”
12. Lithuania: Lion Ceccah — “Sólo Quiero Más”
13. San Marino: Senhit featuring Boy George — “Superstar”
14. Poland: ALICJA — “Pray”
15. Serbia: LAVINA — “Kraj Mene”

Italy and Germany also perform tonight as automatic grand final qualifiers, though neither country competes for a semi-final spot.

How and when to watch

U.K. viewers can catch all the action live on BBC One from 8 p.m. Tuesday. The broadcast will include performances from Italy and Germany alongside the 15 competing nations. Semi-final 2 follows on Thursday, May 14, before the grand final crowns a winner on Saturday night.

With two overall favorites on the line and only 10 qualification spots available, at least a few favorites will face elimination tonight. That kind of pressure has a way of producing some of Eurovision’s most memorable  and occasionally heartbreaking  television.

Source: Chronicle Live