Eurovision 2026 is almost here, and this year's contest is one for the history books — the 70th edition of the world's biggest live music event lands in Vienna, Austria, with 35 countries competing across three spectacular shows in May. If you're in the United States and wondering how to catch every moment, this is your complete guide.
What Is Eurovision 2026?
The Eurovision Song Contest is a live, televised international music competition run by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Each participating country sends one artist with an original song, and viewers plus a professional jury vote to decide the winner. Austria is hosting this year after JJ won the 2025 contest with 'Wasted Love' — the country's first Eurovision victory in decades.
This year's theme is "United by Music" and the contest takes place at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, with Austrian broadcasters ORF running the show. Hosts are Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski, with Emily Busvine handling green room duties.
- 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest
- Venue: Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna, Austria
- Host broadcaster: ORF (Austria)
- Presenters: Victoria Swarovski & Michael Ostrowski
- 35 countries competing, 25 reach the Grand Final
- Theme: United by Music
Eurovision 2026 Full Schedule & US Times
All three shows begin at 9:00 PM CEST (Central European Summer Time) in Vienna. Here's what that means for American viewers:
Each show runs approximately 3.5 to 4 hours including the voting segment. The Grand Final is longer — expect it to wrap around 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT.
Semi-Final 1 — Tuesday, May 12 The first semi-final determines which countries advance from one half of the draw. The Big Five (UK, France, Germany, Italy) plus Austria as host are pre-qualified for the final and do not compete in the semis.
Semi-Final 2 — Thursday, May 14 The second semi-final, with the remaining competing countries battling for a spot in Saturday's grand finale. Results are announced live at the end of each show.
Grand Final — Saturday, May 16 The main event. All 25 finalists perform, followed by the famous dual voting system: a jury vote (professional music panels from each country) and the public televote. The winner is crowned live on stage.
How to Watch Eurovision 2026 in the US
Option 1: Peacock (Best Option — Partially Free)
Peacock, NBCUniversal's streaming service, is the official US broadcaster of Eurovision. This has been the home of Eurovision in America for several years running.
- Free tier: Peacock's free plan gives you access to select content, though live events typically require a paid subscription
- Peacock Premium: $7.99/month — gives full live access to all three shows
- Peacock Premium Plus: $13.99/month — same content, no ads
Peacock streams the contest live as it happens in Vienna and also offers replays for subscribers who can't catch the live broadcast. The Peacock app is available on iPhone, iPad, Android, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, Xbox, and PlayStation.
Sign up at: peacocktv.com
Option 2: YouTube (Official Eurovision Channel — 100% Free)
The official Eurovision YouTube channel streams all three shows free and live globally — including in the US. This is the easiest free option, no account required.
- Go to youtube.com/@Eurovision and look for the scheduled live streams
- The channel also uploads recap videos, voting highlights, and all performances after each show
- Quality is typically 1080p HD
Option 3: Local NBC Affiliate (Check Your Market)
NBC may simulcast portions of the Grand Final on local affiliates in select US markets. This varies by region and is not guaranteed, so check your local NBC channel's schedule closer to May 16.
Option 4: VPN + European Broadcaster
If you want a different commentary language or your preferred national broadcaster's feed, a VPN set to a European country gives you access to free-to-air streams from the BBC (UK), France Télévisions (France), or ARD/ZDF (Germany). Note: using a VPN to access geo-restricted content may violate a service's terms of use.
- Peacock streams live with US-friendly commentary
- YouTube stream is completely free, no login needed
- Replays available after each show
- All three shows covered (semi-finals and final)
- Live shows air at 3 PM ET — awkward for East Coast workers
- Peacock full live access requires a paid subscription
- VPN option adds complexity and cost
- US viewers can watch but not traditionally vote (limited app voting available)
Which Countries Are Competing in 2026?
Eurovision 2026 has 35 participating countries — two fewer than 2025 and the smallest field since 2003. Several notable names are sitting out this year.
Not participating in 2026: Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain have all opted out.
Returning after a break: Bulgaria, Moldova, and Romania are back on the Eurovision stage.
The Big Five — United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Australia (yes, Australia participates!) — plus host Austria automatically qualify for the Grand Final without competing in the semi-finals.
Can Americans Vote at Eurovision 2026?
Yes — with limits. The EBU introduced international public voting in 2023, and it has continued since. Here's how it works for US viewers:
- Download the official Eurovision app (available on iOS and Android) before the Grand Final
- Create an account and verify your phone number
- During the Grand Final's voting window, you can cast up to 20 votes per phone number
- US votes are pooled with other participating non-EBU countries and counted as a combined 'Rest of the World' jury
Note: You cannot vote for your home country's act, but since the US isn't competing, that's a non-issue.
What to Expect If You're Watching for the First Time
Eurovision is unlike any other TV event. Expect:
- Elaborate staging — each country gets a multi-million dollar production for their 3-minute slot
- Interval acts — spectacular performances between the vote reveal and the results
- The scoreboard drama — the dual jury/televote system creates nail-biting swings in the final standings
- Genuine surprises — Eurovision has a long history of shock winners and last-minute upsets
- A watching party culture — many American fans host Eurovision viewing parties with themed food and drinks from competing countries
For odds, predictions, and a breakdown of the favorites heading into Vienna, read our Eurovision 2026 predictions guide.
Quick Reference: Eurovision 2026 at a Glance
Eurovision 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most competitive contests in recent memory. Set your reminder for May 12 — and if the afternoon timing doesn't work for you, both Peacock and YouTube will have full replays within hours of each show ending.
