Watch the first Eurovision Song Contest 2026 semi-final live from Vienna
Ten acts are through after the first semi-final, with the remaining places to be filled on Thursday.
www.bbc.comHere are the latest Eurovision Semi-Final updates you asked for.
- The first semi-final occurred on May 12, 2026 in Vienna, with Finland, Greece, and Israel among the frontrunners for a spot in the final. This aligns with ongoing coverage of the semi-finals and the running order published as the event unfolded.[1][2][4]
- Ten acts advanced to the final from the first semi-final, while the UK’s acts were noted as still aiming for qualification in the second semi-final, per live coverage summaries.[4]
- A point of controversy noted in coverage this year concerns Israel’s participation and related discussions among several countries, including withdrawals or protests by some broadcasters, as reported in live updates and contextual analyses around the semi-final period.[2][1]
If you want, I can pull in a quick snapshot of the exact running order and which acts qualified from the first semi-final, or provide a brief on the notable performances and moments from the night.
Sources: The Independent’s Eurovision 2026 live updates with semi-final details, Inkl’s live coverage of the semi-final with running order and qualification notes, BBC live blog covering the first semi-final results and reactions.[1][2][4]