It's time for the Eurovision semi-finals - here's what you need to know

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. It's time for the Eurovision semi-finals - here's what you need to know35 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleJennifer ClarkeGetty ImagesItalian act Sal Da Vinci performing at a dress rehearsal for Tuesday's semi-finalThe first Eurovision Song Contest semi-final takes place in Vienna on Tuesday, ahead of Saturday's final. Acts from 35 countries will take part in the 70th edition of the contest, which is being hosted in Austria after singer JJ won the 2025 competition with his ballad, Wasted Love. A number of countries are boycotting the contest over Israel's participation.

What is the Eurovision Song Contest? The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual televised competition organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Songs must be original and no more than three minutes long.

The Details

They cannot have been released or publicly performed before 1 September 2025. Lead vocals must be live, with no lip-syncing or auto-tuning allowed and a maximum of six singers and dancers on stage. Most Eurovision participants are European, but Australia takes part every year, after being invited to join Eurovision's 60th anniversary celebrations in 2015.

However, Australia cannot host the contest should it win. Meet the UK's Eurovision entrant: 'The is taking a risk on me'Eurovision 2025: Austria wins with last-minute vote, as the UK comes 19thWhen is the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest taking place? ReutersEurovision 2025 winner JJ is a counter-tenor at the Vienna State OperaThe grand final will be in the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna on Saturday.

TV presenter Victoria Swarovski and actor Michael Ostrowski will host. The first semi-final, on Tuesday, will feature Croatia, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Portugal, Moldova, Sweden, Belgium, Estonia, Israel, Lithuania, Montenegro, Poland, San Marino and Serbia. This year's entrant for San Marino, Senhit, has enlisted the help of Boy George, who will be lending vocals to her song Superstar.

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The second semi-final, on Thursday, will see performances from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Romania, Switzerland, Albania, Australia, Cyprus, Denmark, Latvia, Malta, Norway and Ukraine. The top 10 performers from each semi-final will join five pre-qualified acts in the final. These are from 2025 winner Austria and the UK, Italy, France and Germany, which provide extra financial support for Eurovision.

These countries still have to broadcast, perform and vote in one of the semi-finals. Germany and Italy will perform and vote in the first, while Austria, France and the UK will perform and vote in the second. Eurovision 2026 on the - Everything you need to knowEurovision Song Contest live tour 2026 postponedHow do I watch Eurovision 2026?

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.