Bulgaria wins the 2026 Eurovision grand final as Australia places fourth — as it happened

Wipe those tears up, kids. Forget your mothers!

Because we've apparently all been teleported into a video game where we're tiger-hybrid men with funny hats and damn — this is quite the tonal shift.

Right now, we've got Akylas from Greece with their song Ferto. Apparently, ferto translates to "bring it". So: ferto, my dude.

Soon, ferto is brought upon us, with lyrical genius like: ferto ferto ferto ferto ferto ferto ferto ferto ferto ferto ferto ferto ferto ferto ferto ferto ferto ferto ferto ferto ferto ferto ferto ferto ferto ferto.

The crowd, unsurprisingly, is eating it up. Ferto for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

I'm obsessed with everything about this. The wiggling ears. A random man lying on the floor for no discernible reason. A SCOOTER??? I'm feeling that I'm on a bad trip with mild psychosis. A surprise mum appearance (it all comes back to our mums). A greek statue getting loose. It's just art.

The set design on this one is also genuinely extraordinary — we're in mum's living room, then chilling with a Greek statue, then in a bank filled with gold for some reason.

I am ferto. You are ferto. We are all ferto. Source: Getty / picture alliance/dpa

I feel like the language barrier is really limiting my understanding of what's going on here, but I feel like it's enhancing the experience.

Then, we really lean back into mums with a brief mum loving intermission (the theme of this year is obviously "love ya mum"), before Akylas goes, "Eh mum just come dance with us."

Then, before we can even really process it, it's over. I'm not sure what I just watched, but I know I've been changed forever.

— Alexandra Koster

There have been demonstrations this year, but certainly not as large in scale as we’ve seen in previous years.

An "alternative song contest" was held in central Vienna on Friday, with artists performing and making speeches against Israel’s participation.

Organiser and singer Nina Maleika told SBS News she remains furious at what she sees a "double standard".

“Art is political, the media is political and they threw Russia out of the Eurovision Song Contest, so why can they not make a statement against Israel?”

Ahead of today’s grand final, a protest march attracted several hundred people. Demonstrations are tightly controlled in Vienna, having to follow an approved route.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators with Palestinian flags at a registered pro-Palestinian demonstration on the sidelines of the Eurovision Song Contest. Source: Getty / Britta Schultejans

Numbers were certainly down on those seen in Basel last year and well down on Malmo in 2024, where tens of thousands took to the streets.

Wet weather may have played a part too. It’s been grey and drizzly for the last few days here.

Outside the arena tonight, a handful of protesters dressed as clowns performed a little street theatre, "shushing" each other when one said the word "Palestine", mocking the European Broadcasting Union’s suggestion that Eurovision is a "non-political" event.

— Ben Lewis

That's all. That's literally the post.

— Alexandra Koster

Oh my god, we have a song with SUBTITLES! And it's about MOTHERS!

I already know I'm going to cry, mama please. Alis also knows I'm going to cry, because he explicitly says, "You will cry a little".

So right, king.

And lemme tell you — when I see images of all these mothers, it's crying time. Go hug your mums, or mum-adjacent figures in your life, pals.

Watching this song the second time round, it's actually become one of my favourites. It's a banger. But it's emotional. An emotional banger.

And when mumma takes off the king's speed dealers, it's all over red rover.

As someone who loves sad music, I'm a big fan of Albania's performance. Thank you for the tears.

— Alexandra Koster

Belgium hasn't qualified in the grand final for two years in a row, but ice girl ESSYLA has broken that curse. Hooray!

We're just a few beats in and I already know this is going to be a BOP. Embarrassingly, I can feel goosebumps on my skin. Which seems a bit dramatic, but the body wants what it wants. And it clearly wants ESSYLA. Or ice. Or dancing. Or all three.

Fiva is wearing a cute white outfit and is yapping on about dancing on the ice. What ice? What dance? We'll never know.

Just as I start longing for snow to fall — if you can have pyrotechnics, surely you can have snowtechnics — snow BEGINS TO FALL! Nature is healing.

I'm a bit underwhelmed by the end of it, but I appreciated the journey regardless. Three out of five snowflakes.

— Alexandra Koster

Israel's televote campaign has again been put in the spotlight this year, after its public broadcaster, KAN, was issued a formal warning from Eurovision.

The organiser issued a warning last week over videos instructing the public to vote "10 times for Israel".

KAN responded by saying it had played by the rules, and also removed the videos.

Our excellent reporter, Niv Sadrolodabaee, says the controversy comes a year after Israel's 2025 contestant finished second, having won the global public televote by an overwhelming margin, sparking debate over whether coordinated online campaigns can influence the result.

READ MORE

Israel’s Eurovision voting campaign is in the spotlight — again. Here’s why

Voting rules have changed in 2026, and some viewed the call to vote as a violation of the updated rules.

Based on the 2026 changes to the rules, "participating broadcasters and artists are not permitted to actively engage in, facilitate or contribute to promotional campaigns by third parties that could influence the voting outcome".

— Alexandra Koster, Niv Sadrolodabaee

Next up, we've got Israel's entrant Noam Bettan with Michelle.

He starts huddled in a shiny little diamond, before being birthed into the stage, a fleet of dancers surrounding him as he jives in a matching leather suit.

I don't know why there is a diamond. Such is the nature of Eurovision. Best not to think too hard.

It's always a treat when they drop in an English line for us mere monolingualists. This time, we get "I am losing my mind" and "under your spell". TWO English lines! A genuine gift!

I think Noam really, really likes someone called Michelle. I have now decided that if a potential lover would like to woo me, they need to go to Eurovision and sing a song about me. The bar is on the floor.

Worth noting: four audience members were ejected from Tuesday's live show, with one shouting "Stop the genocide" and "Free Palestine".

Bettan said he felt "shock" when he saw it unfold.

I can't hear anything during his performance this time.

— Alexandra Koster

Up next, we've got Sarah Engels from Germany with Fire.

It's a sacred Eurovision tradition that at least one act needs to have a song about their love of fire. Sarah — or Sez, as I'm calling her now — is this year's torchbearer. Literally.

First up: she's got PIPES. She rises from the floor with the energy of someone who has never once tripped getting off a couch. She does an excellent trust fall. What's not to love?

Sarah beckons someone to stop lying to her and informs them they're a vampire. Fair enough. But the fire — the fire! — is actually her, she says. She contains it. She IS it.

And then, unsurprisingly, the stage absolutely erupts. We've got fire left, fire right, fire centre. There's so much fire that I start to feel mildly warm. You could say the performance is … on fire. You could say Sarah is … smoking. You could say I'm … getting out of here before I'm burnt alive by my own puns.

— Alexandra Koster

Voting is officially open!

And you (yes, you) can vote.

You can cast up to ten votes. Each vote costs 70 cents.

You cannot vote for Australia, because that's like, against the laws of Eurovision.

Do that here, if you like.

— Alexandra Koster

Everyone say GODMORGEN to this year's act from Denmark — Søren Torpegaard Lund! Just don't ask me to pronounce it.

Sometimes, people might tell you that it's too early to look at a bunch of people grinding on each other in a see-through club rat box while fire blasts around it, but don't listen to them. They're probably still sleeping right now, cowards.

There's many moments I appreciate in Denmark's performance: the ease with which the performer lowers themselves into the elusive glass box through some monkey bars (the upper body strength!), the way their extras tear off their collared shirt to reveal a sheer (!!!) sparkly one underneath, and of course, the way I'm getting flashbacks to my early 20s where I was really, really trying to convince myself that I enjoyed clubbing (surprise: I don't!).

Thank you Denmark, for transporting me back to nights out in Kings Cross.

— Alexandra Koster

Last year's winner, JJ from Austria, has finished his big opener after bombarding us with operatic dulcet tones!

It's a bit surprising to see Johannes Pietsch, known as JJ, perform.

The Austrian singer was very critical of the song contest's decision to allow Israel to perform.

READ MORE

Eurovision winner JJ calls for Israel's exclusion from song contest over war in Gaza

Last year, the singer said: "It is very disappointing to see Israel still participating in the contest. I would like the next Eurovision to be held in Vienna and without Israel."

The Eurovision Song Contest maintains that it is "strictly non-political" and not intended to be used as a platform for "political expression, activism, controversy or the promotion of external causes or agendas".

Russia was excluded from the contest after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

— Alexandra Koster

This morning's Eurovision will look a little different.

That's because five countries — Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain — have all withdrawn in protest at Israel’s continued inclusion amid the conflict in Gaza.

Spain is considered one of the "big five" countries of Eurovision, typically having a guaranteed place in the grand final as one of the contest's largest financial contributors.

Protests and calls for boycotts have again surrounded this year's Eurovision.

READ MORE

Four audience members ejected from Eurovision over 'disruptive behaviour' during Israel set

Four members of the audience were ejected on Tuesday's semi-final, with one heard shouting, "Free Palestine" and "Stop the genocide".

Hundreds have been protesting outside the Wiener Stadthalle in the lead-up to the event.

Ben Lewis, our chief international correspondent on the ground, tells me there's currently a small protest outside the venue.

Some protesters, he says, are dressed as clowns.

We'll bring you more on that soon.

— Alexandra Koster

As the flag parade begins, now is probably a good time to get you all in the loop of the official running order.

Australia will be up fairly early in the piece, so get your coffees in now, babes.

Here's the running order for the 2026 Eurovision grand final:

1. Denmark
2. Germany
3. Israel
4. Belgium
5. Albania
6. Greece
7. Ukraine
8. Australia
9. Serbia
10. Malta
11. Czechia
12. Bulgaria
13. Croatia
14. United Kingdom
15. France
16. Moldova
17. Finland
18. Poland
19. Lithuania
20. Sweden
21. Cyprus
22. Italy
23. Norway
24. Romania
25. Austria

— Alexandra Koster

It’s a cold and miserable night in Vienna, but Australian fans are bringing some colour and energy to the Stadhalle. Confidence isn’t in short supply.

“We’re going to win, there’s no two ways about it, we are winning. I’ve manifested it and it’s happening,” declares Angie from Sydney.

Her friend Paula, wearing an Eclipse-themed frock she’d made herself, agrees.

“I was up at 2am the day they announced our song and at that moment I had tears in my eyes, like you I manifested that moment, she’s a winner, what else can I say?”

Shaun’s green and gold sequined jacket and Bunnings Warehouse hat, complete with dangling Koalas, has made him stand out on his journey to the arena.

“On the train here people were saying ‘I’m voting for Delta, good luck,'” says Shaun from Melbourne.

“It’s just a great feeling and I’m sure there will be plenty of countries willing to host on behalf of Australia."

Shaun (left) stood out with his green and gold sequined jacket and Bunnings Warehouse hat. Source: SBS / Ben Lewis

Many fans say Delta’s big-stage experience shone through during the semi-final.

“She just screams professionalism and experience, nothing fazes her,” says Emily from Perth.

“The most important thing is she’s having a ton of fun. She just exudes charm,” adds her friend Alison.

Finland remains the bookies’ favourite, but even their fans admit the trophy could be heading down under.

”I like Australia so much, I think Australia might win this year,” says Tuula. “I’m a little bit afraid!”

— Ben Lewis

It’s a good omen for the contest.

The Marcel Bezençon Press Award, voted on by accredited media (including moi) has been won by Delta Goodrem and Eclipse.

The trophy was accepted by Paul Clarke, Australia’s artistic director. Delta, of course, is a little busy preparing for her performance.

Paul Clarke, artistic director for Australia’s Eurovision entry, received the Marcel Bezençon Press Award won by Delta Goodrem. Source: SBS / Ben Lewis

It’s not a huge surprise; Delta’s performance received rapturous applause during the her semi-final and last night’s jury show.

— Ben Lewis

Good morning, internet void!

It's an ungodly hour. I've woken up several times during the night in fear that I would accidentally sleep through my shift. I'm staring at a blank television screen, counting the clock until 5am.

Yep, it's almost Eurovision Song Contest time!

The live stream will kick off on SBS On Demand from 5am (or from the actual television channel, SBS, if you're fancy and still have free-to-air.

I'll also be here with my good friend Sherpa Hossainy, who is co-running this yassified ship with me this morning.

Coffee count: one.

Let's go!

— Alexandra Koster

It's the most wonderful time of the year.

No, not Christmas. Better than Christmas. It's Eurovision time — and we're going to be live-blogging the whole thing from 5am AEST this Sunday.

That means every performance, every questionable staging decision, every pyrotechnic, every inexplicable scooter (you'll see), covered in real time as it happens in Vienna.

This year's grand final features 25 acts spanning everything from operatic bangers to full medieval hexing, and we genuinely cannot wait to walk you through all of it.

Australia's own Delta Goodrem is flying the flag for us — and based on what we saw in the semis, she's got a pretty good shot of taking home the title.

If you're new to Eurovision or just want to brush up before the big night, we've put together some helpful guides to get you across the field:

READ MORE

Could Australia win Eurovision? The odds are looking Goodrem

Everything you need to know about Eurovision 2026

Four audience members ejected from Eurovision over 'disruptive behaviour' during Israel set

Russia was banned from competing in Eurovision. Why has Israel been allowed to?

'That's not neutrality': Protesters call on SBS to boycott Eurovision

Set your alarms. We'll see you bright and early on Sunday.

— Alexandra Koster