The Eurovision Song Contest 2026's first semi-final qualifiers have been announced, and the excitement is palpable! Greece's Akylas with 'Ferto', Finland's Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen's 'Liekinheitin', Belgium's ESSYLA with 'Dancing on the Ice', Sweden's FELICIA with 'My System', Moldova's Satoshi with 'Viva, Moldova!', Israel's Noam Bettan with 'Michelle', Serbia's LAVINA with 'Kraj Mene', Croatia's LELEK with 'Andromeda', Lithuania's Lion Ceccah with 'Sólo Quiero Más', and Poland's ALICJA with 'Pray' are all set to compete in the Grand Final on May 16th. These artists showcased their talent and creativity on the Eurovision stage, leaving a lasting impression on the judges and viewers alike.
However, not all entries made it to the final round. Portugal's Bandidos do Cante with 'Rosa', Georgia's Bzikebi with 'On Replay', Montenegro's Tamara Živković with 'Nova Zora', Estonia's Vanilla Ninja with 'Too Epic To Be True', and San Marino's SENHIT with 'Superstar' were unfortunately eliminated. Despite the disappointment, these artists have undoubtedly left their mark on the competition.
The semi-final results were determined through a combination of jury and public votes, with each vote carrying a 50% weight. This year's semi-final saw 15 participating countries, as well as Italy and Germany, casting their votes, adding to the global reach and impact of the contest. The 10 qualifiers from this semi-final will join the qualifiers from the second semi-final, the Big 4 (France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom), and the reigning champion Austria in the Grand Final.
For those who missed the first semi-final, there's still a chance to catch up! The performances are available on Eurovision's YouTube channel, and all the songs can be found in a handy playlist. So, if you're a Eurovision fan or simply a music enthusiast, don't miss out on the chance to see these talented artists in action. Get ready for the second semi-final and the Grand Final, where the real showdown will take place! As an expert commentator, I can't wait to see how the contest unfolds and which artists will emerge as the ultimate winners. It's a thrilling journey, and I'm here for every thrilling moment!
