Bulgaria claimed its first Eurovision title on Saturday night in Vienna, as pop star Dara won the 2026 contest with the energetic track “Bangaranga.” The performance — driven by punchy rhythms and a tightly choreographed stage show — appealed to both national juries and televoters, putting Dara ahead of 24 other finalists.
Israel finished second, followed by Romania, Australia and Italy to complete the top five. Germany placed 23rd and the United Kingdom came last in 25th. The European Broadcasting Union described Dara as one of Bulgaria’s best-known pop artists, noted for a distinctive voice, strong stage presence and a willingness to blend genres.
This year’s contest was overshadowed by a political rift over Israel’s participation. Five countries — Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Iceland and Slovenia — withdrew in protest, and organizers said just 35 entries took part, the fewest since 2003; the grand final featured 25 acts. Television audiences were expected to be smaller than last year’s estimated 166 million viewers.
Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez publicly supported his country’s decision not to attend, saying the move reflected a principled stance. Israel condemned the boycott and characterized it as a smear campaign.
Tensions were visible on the streets of Vienna: hundreds of demonstrators marched ahead of the final, waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans such as “Free Palestine” and “boycott Eurovision.” Police described the protest as largely peaceful. Critics of the contest accused organizers of double standards, pointing to Russia’s exclusion in 2022 over its invasion of Ukraine as a contrast to allowing Israel to compete. The Palestinian ambassador in Vienna called Israel’s inclusion an “insult to art, culture and humanity.”
Contest director Martin Green said the event was taking place amid “challenging times,” acknowledging the wider political context that has affected recent editions of the show. The Gaza war, which followed the Hamas attack of 7 October 2023, remains a central factor in the debate surrounding Israel’s presence at the contest.
Ahead of the final, bookmakers and pundits had tipped several acts as favorites. Finland’s pairing of violinist Linda Lampenius and singer Pete Parkkonen, performing “Liekinheitin” (“Flamethrower”), was widely expected to do well, and Australia’s Delta Goodrem — a long-established star in her home country — was also seen as a strong contender with “Eclipse.”
Despite protests and withdrawals, the Vienna final proceeded as a typically lavish Eurovision production, combining camp, spectacle and pop music. Dara’s victory marks a landmark moment for Bulgarian pop on the international stage.
Edited by: Rana Taha