The contest was officially opened on Sunday, May 10, in the evening during the traditional parade of contestants down the turquoise carpet, the BBC reports. Eurovision celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2026, but the anniversary contest is once again accompanied by political discussions and increased security measures.
Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands and Slovenia have refused to participate in the events and broadcast the contest. These countries have previously criticized the organizers’ decision to keep Israel among the participants amid the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.
Debate surrounding Israeli participation has been ongoing since 2023, when Israel launched a military operation in Gaza following a Hamas attack that killed some 1,200 people and took hostages, according to Israeli authorities. Palestinian sources report tens of thousands of deaths in subsequent fighting.
Previous pageants in Malmo and Basel have seen mass protests and Israeli representatives performing under heavy security. During the 2025 finals, protesters tried to force their way onto the stage while an Israeli contestant was performing.
Austrian authorities said security measures would be stepped up around the Wiener Stadthalle arena and surrounding streets in Vienna. The organizers stressed that they do not intend to restrict the use of Palestinian symbols among the audience.
Despite the political tensions, interest in the contest remains high. Tickets for the final shows sold out within minutes of the start of sales.
Particular attention of bookmakers and fans of the contest is focused on the Israeli representative Noam Bettan with the ballad Michelle, who is called one of the favorites of the current season. The possible victory of Israel, according to observers, may intensify discussions around the future of the contest and the principles of participation of countries in Eurovision.
The organizers of the contest claim that they strive to preserve the musical and non-political nature of the show, but experts note that the international agenda continues to have a noticeable impact on the atmosphere of the contest and the audience’s reaction.
