Time to Meet Our Hosts!
Tonight’s presenters are Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski. Victoria Swarovski is a TV presenter, entrepreneur, model, designer, and singer, as well as a member of the Swarovski family, so expect an evening featuring increasingly sparkling wardrobe changes.
Michael Ostrowski is a film and TV actor and popular presenter, who has spent the entire week wearing variations of the same 1970s blue polyester outfit, for reasons known only to him.
As per tradition, they will somehow manage to be both wooden and cheesy simultaneously. Normally, one might say we wouldn’t have it any other way, but after this week’s semi-finals, there has been a longing for previous hosts such as Hazel Brugger and Sandra Studer, or Petra Mede.
In case it wasn’t clear, this year’s contest is held in Vienna, or Wien as locals call it. The city is renowned for its music and culture, and for one week only, it becomes the Eurovision capital. Vienna last hosted the contest in 2015, following Conchita Wurst’s legendary win. That event marked the 60th anniversary of Eurovision, and now the contest returns to Vienna for the 70th anniversary. The discrepancy in the count is due to the cancellation of the 2020 contest.
2015 was also the last time the liveblogger did not spend Eurovision week in the host city, but they report no feelings of FOMO.
The opening flag parade was underway but was paused halfway through so JJ could perform "Wasted Love". This version is a dance remix, which has been well received.
The flag parade has since resumed.
The show opens with a video featuring the paper boat from JJ’s winning performance last year. The boat is on a journey from Basel to Vienna, a distance of approximately 500 miles.
Upon arrival at the Wiener Stadthalle, JJ performs with the ORF Symphony Orchestra in front of 10,000 enthusiastic fans, including the liveblog’s own Martin Belam.
Are we all ready? Cue the Te Deum, and let’s begin the show!
Ready for Some Bingo?
As is tradition, there is a bingo-based drinking game for the contest. Participants are encouraged to take a sip or a handful of Pringles for any of the following occurrences:
- A dance break before the first chorus
- Someone lying dramatically on the floor
- Interpretive dance performed by men in mesh clothing
- Artists styling their names entirely in capital letters without apparent reason
Participants are reminded to drink responsibly and pace themselves, as Eurovision is a marathon, not a sprint—unlike Finland’s staging, which is very much a sprint.
The liveblogger shares their own viewing setup: alone in pajamas, with finger food and a sleeping Labrador. Though they do not drink much these days, they plan to have a glass of Grüner Veltliner once scoring begins, and invite readers to share their snack choices in the comments.
A Message from Roving Reporter Martin Belam!
Martin Belam has been in Vienna since Thursday and describes the experience as
"all the way". He attended a watch party for the second semi-final on Thursday night, where Antigoni’s "Jalla" for Cyprus energized the crowd. Some British attendees attempted a sing-along for Sam Battle’s "Look Mum No Computer," but the lack of enthusiasm suggested a challenging public vote for the UK entry.
On Friday, Martin toured the venue behind the scenes, noting the impressive scale of Eurovision. He observed the props lined up for changeovers, which must be completed within 42 seconds between acts, and sat on the couches in the green room.
Regarding tonight’s lineup, Martin expressed admiration for Lithuania’s Lion Ceccah, whose Klaus Nomi-inspired look stands out, and Croatia’s Lelek, whose tattooed performers evoke a haunting medieval atmosphere. Greece’s entry, "Ferto," is described as fun yet irritating, featuring a breakdown with an 8-bit Nintendo GameBoy sound. Moldova’s "Viva, Moldova!" by Satoshi is an energetic song that will enliven the show, though it is not expected to win.
It's Eurovision 2026!
Good evening and welcome to this year’s Eurovision Song Contest grand final liveblog. After five years working backstage at Eurovision, the liveblogger returns to guide viewers through tonight’s Viennese spectacle of glitter, drama, and pyrotechnics.
As an added bonus, Martin Belam is inside the Wiener Stadthalle, providing live insights from the arena, contrasting with the online reactions of Eurovision fans.
The show kicks off at 9pm. Viewers are encouraged to prepare snacks, drinks, and any necessary emotional support sequins for what promises to be a long but hopefully joyful night of Eurovision entertainment.
Eurovision fans, the contest is back.
