The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna hasn’t even begun, but it has already sparked months of intense debate. The contest’s long-standing claim to be apolitical is being tested as geopolitical tensions increasingly shadow the spectacle.
Vienna last hosted Eurovision in 2015. This year, marking the contest’s 70th anniversary, the event runs from May 12–16 in a city synonymous with culture and diversity. Organizers hope the competition will unite people and promote openness under the motto “United By Music – (In) The Heart Of Europe.” Yet political crises in some participating countries are making that aim harder to achieve.
Israel has become a focal point of protest. Amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, activists and parts of the creative community have renewed calls to exclude or boycott Israel. More than 1,100 artists signed an open letter declaring “No Eurovision Song Contest” while Israel participates; signatories include Peter Gabriel, Massive Attack, Roger Waters, Macklemore and Brian Eno. Vienna police expect disruptive protests and attempts to block the event, particularly on the final night, and a pro-Palestinian demonstration of around 3,000 people has been registered for May 16, with further actions anticipated, including from foreign demonstrators.
Despite the pressure, Israel will take part. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) upheld its long-standing position that Eurovision is an association of broadcasters, not governments, and therefore Israel remains eligible. Israel will send Noam Bettan with the pop song “Michelle.”
The controversy has prompted strong reactions from some countries. Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland are boycotting the contest, and Spain — one of the “Big Five” financial backers — has also withdrawn, marking the first time a Big Five country will not participate. Several broadcasters have chosen not to air the contest, reducing the global audience for an event that recently drew nearly 170 million viewers.
Separately, Romania’s entry by Alexandra Capitanescu, “Choke Me,” provoked criticism for lyrics some say glorify violence against women. A legal scholar quoted in The Guardian described the song as showing “an alarming disregard for young women’s health and well-being.” Capitanescu responded on Reddit that the title and chorus are metaphorical, reflecting internal pressure and fear rather than literal harm. The uproar has subsided as rehearsals concluded and the contest nears.
Ukraine’s entry also carries political resonance. Viktoria Leleka competes with “Ridnym,” a song written in Berlin that blends ethno-pop and musical-theater elements. In interviews she has expressed affection for Germany and said representing Ukraine and its culture matters deeply amid Russian aggression. Ukraine, a consistent finalist and recent winner with Kalush Orchestra’s 2022 hit “Stefania,” is closely watched again this year.
Musically, Eurovision 2026 promises familiar trends: big emotions, dramatic staging and upbeat electro-pop. Greece’s Akylas has climbed betting odds and will perform in the first semifinal on May 12. Finland’s pop-classical duo Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen are also seen as strong contenders in that semifinal. Host nation Austria and Big Five member Germany are guaranteed final spots and must rely on the grand final on May 16 to secure strong results.
Meanwhile, the Eurovision brand is expanding. The inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia is scheduled for November 14 in Bangkok, with ten confirmed participants including the Philippines, South Korea and Vietnam. Attempts to plant the format in the United States have so far failed; the American Song Contest in 2022 remained a one-off.
This article was originally written in German.