Get ready for catchy pop tunes, elaborate costumes, and political voting as countries around Europe battle it out for a place in the final of Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna. Semi-final 1 is on 12 May and below is our guide to how to watch Eurovision 2026 for free – from anywhere including Ireland and Spain!
While it’ll be Graham Norton who hosts that big finale for you this weekend, it’s down to Rylan and Angela Scanlon to present the semi-finals this week — or, if you’d prefer, you could listen to Sara Cox on BBC Sounds app instead.
There are ten spots 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 TV, online, and via free streams around the world.
How to watch Eurovision 2026 for FREE
UK viewers will be able to watch all of the acts perform and see which way the voting goes on Tuesday, May 12 on BBC One at 8pm BST.
You can also tune into the free stream on BBC iPlayer and watch every Eurovision live show at no cost apart from a TV licence.
Traveling abroad? Use this VPN (and save 75%) to access you usual streaming services from abroad. Works great in Spain or Ireland, where Eurovision is not being broadcast.
How to watch Eurovision 2026 from anywhere
For those away from home looking to watch Eurovision 2026, you’ll be unable to watch the show as normal if you’re 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 UK
How to watch Eurovision Song Contest 2026 online around the world
How to watch Eurovision Song Contest 2026 semi-final 1 online in the US
It may be a song contest for European countries, but musical fans in the United States can still follow along. Eurovision Song Contest 2026 semi-final 1 will be playing on Peacock in the U.S.
You can pick up Peacock for free when you sign up to Walmart Plus ($1 for first 30 days).
If you don’t have access to Peacock, you can also watch along on the official Eurovision YouTube channel.
Brit abroad? Anyone from the UK travelling overseas who wants to watch their free usual streaming service from abroad can do so by using a VPN.
How to watch Eurovision Song Contest 2026 semi-final 1 in Australia
There’s no reason to miss out just because you live Down Under, either. Folks with a penchant for pop music can watch Eurovision Song Contest 2026 semi-final 1 on SBS and SBS On Demand.
Not at home? Anyone busy travelling overseas who wants to watch their free usual streaming service from abroad can do so by using a VPN.
Can I watch Eurovision 2026 in Ireland?
Irish state broadcaster RTE has confirmed that it will not broadcast this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. RTE joins Spain and Slovenia in boycotting the event due to Israel’s inclusion. However, you can use this VPN to watch BBC iPlayer from abroad – if you’re stuck in Ireland, Spain or Slovenia. You’ll need a TV licence and a UK address to sign up.
What you need to know about Eurovision Song Contest 2026
Which countries are taking part and when?
Here are the 15 nations involved in the first semi-final on Tuesday night:
- Moldova: Satoshi – Viva, Moldova!
- Sweden: FELICIA – My System
- Croatia: LELEK – Andromeda
- Greece: Akylas – Ferto
- Portugal: Bandidos do Cante – Rosa
- Georgia: Bzikebi – On Replay
- Italy: Sal Da Vinci – Per Sempre Sì (Big Four – Qualifies for 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 Grand Final)
- Belgium: ESSYLA – Dancing on the Ice
- Lithuania: Lion Ceccah – Sólo Quiero Más
- 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 Căpitănescu – Choke Me
- Luxembourg: Eva Marija – Mother Nature
- Czechia: Daniel Zizka – CROSSROADS
- France: Monroe – Regarde ! (Big Four – Qualifies for Grand Final)
- Armenia: SIMÓN – Paloma Rumba
- Switzerland: Veronica Fusaro – Alice
- Cyprus: Antigoni – JALLA
- Austria: COSMÓ – Tanzschein (Host Country – Qualifies for Grand Final)
- Latvia: Atvara – Ēnā
- Denmark: Søren Torpegaard Lund – Før Vi Går Hjem
- Australia: Delta Goodrem – Eclipse
- Ukraine: LELÉKA – Ridnym
- United Kingdom: LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER – Eins, Zwei, Drei – (Big Four – Qualifies for Grand Final)
- Albania: Alis – Nân
- Malta: AIDAN – Bella
- Norway: JONAS LOVV – YA YA YA
Who won Eurovision Song Contest 2025?
Austria won the competition last year, thanks to the song “Wasted Love” performed by JJ (Johannes Pietsch).
He won 436 points in total, after winning the jury vote and coming in fourth place through the televoting system.
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