It’s been confirmed that 35 countries will be participating in the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, which is due to take place in Vienna, Austria. The number of confirmed countries for the upcoming edition of the competition has decreased after 37 countries competed in Eurovision 2025.
Our 35 countries are..
Bulgaria, Romania and Moldova will all be returning to the competition, with BNT, TVR and TRM last comepting in the 2022, 2023 and 2024 Contests respectively. However, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain have all confirmed they are pulling out of the competition in boycott of Israel’s participation.
The participating countries, their respective broadcasters and participants (where applicable) are as follows:
- Albania (RTSH)
- Armenia (AMPTV)
- Australia (SBS)
- Austria (ORF) – Host broadcaster
- Azerbaijan (Ä°ctimai Television)
- Belgium (VRT)
- Bulgaria (BNT)
- Croatia (HRT)
- Cyprus (CyBC)
- Czechia (ÄŒT)
- Denmark (DR)
- Estonia (ERR)
- Finland (Yle)
- France (France Télévisions)
- Georgia (GPB)
- Germany (SWR / ARD)
- Greece (ERT)
- Israel (KAN)
- Italy (RAI)
- Latvia (LTV)
- Lithuania (LRT)
- Luxembourg (RTL)
- Malta (PBS)
- Moldova (TRM)
- Montenegro (RTCG)
- Norway (NRK)
- Poland (TVP)
- Portugal (RTP)
- Romania (TVR)
- San Marino (SMRTV)
- Serbia (RTS)
- Sweden (SVT)
- Switzerland (SRG SSR)
- Ukraine (Suspilne)
- United Kingdom (BBC)
In total, 15 countries will compete in each semi-final which will take place on May 12th and 14th. It was also confirmed that the semi-final allocation draw will be held on January 12th.
With the confirmation of the number of countries that will be participating in the upcoming competition, we also saw some of the participating countries, who have been silent about their participation in the upcoming edition until now. Details of the Semi-Final allocation and the Semi-Final in which the Automatic Qualifiers will be airing and voting will be revealed at a later date.
Trying to be United by Music
In a statement released through the EBU, Martin Green — Director of the Contest — said:
As we prepare to celebrate 70 years of the Eurovision Song Contest it remains a place where voices, cultures, languages and music are woven together. Where people from many backgrounds can show that in a difficult world a better one is possible. We are thrilled to welcome back BNT (Bulgaria), TVR (Romania) and TRM (Moldova) who join 32 other public broadcasters for Vienna 2026. Their return is a vivid reminder of the enduring power of the Eurovision Song Contest, and of what it truly means to be United by Music.
The story of Eurovision 2026
The journey to the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest kicked off immediately following JJ’s win in Basel, when Austria’s ORF accepted the rights to host the 70th edition of the contest. The bidding process started in June, with interested cities having until July 4 to submit their bid book. Innsbruck and Vienna were shortlisted, with the latter winning the right to host next year’s contest.
As for the organisation of the competition, the ‘core team‘ was revealed in June 2025, with further details about next year’s competition to be revealed in due course. The shows will take place on May 12th, 14th and 16th.
Are you happy about the number of participating countries in Vienna? Which country are you looking forward to seeing in the Eurovision stage? Let us know in the comments or on social media. Be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Bluesky as we gear up for Eurovision 2026!
News Source: EBU
Photo Credit: EBU
Tim J 
That Eurovision Site 
Giwrgos Oiko