Angela Scanlon will join Rylan to host the Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Finals this year, with Sara Cox joining him to host Radio 2 coverage of the live final.
Eurovision Semi-Finals with Rylan and Angela Scanlon
Tuesday 12 May and Thursday 14 May, 8pm – BBC iPlayer and BBC One
The Semi-Finals will be broadcast live on BBC iPlayer and BBC One, and guiding audiences on the Euro-phoric journey is commentator and Eurovision aficionado, Rylan, who will be joined on the ride by Angela Scanlon, live from the Wiener Stadthalle arena in Vienna.
Rylan says: “It’s the 70th Eurovision Song Contest and the biggest show on the planet. Being part of anything this big is something younger me could never have imagined.”
Angela Scanlon says: “It feels like joining the greatest party on earth – equal parts thrilling and terrifying! I grew up watching the Eurovision Song Contest with my three sisters, making very serious (and wildly biased) scorecards from the couch, so to now be part of it – especially in its 70th year – is genuinely surreal. It’s one of those shows that’s always been there, evolving but never losing its magic or madness. I’ve been lucky enough to dip my toe into the Eurovision world before, so it feels great to be doing it again, just with higher heels and a few more sequins!”
Each Semi-Final, hosted by Austrian stars Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski, will feature performances from the pre-qualified ‘Big Four’ countries, and an array of unmissable interval acts. Across both Semi-Finals we will see 10 contestants eliminated from the competition – giving us 25 competitors for Saturday’s Grand Final.
BBC viewers have plenty to look forward to at the Semi-Finals – there will be emotional ballads, soaring pop anthems, and unique performances you’d only ever see on the Eurovision stage.
Excitement is heating up in the fandom for Finland’s entry which features a collaboration between world renowned classical violinist Linda Lampenius and singer Pete Parkkonen, global superstar Delta Goodrem will take to the stage representing Australia, San Marino have recruited the legendary Culture Club frontman Boy George to perform alongside SENHIT, and there is an energetic earworm and chants of “Bangaranga” by DARA from Bulgaria – who return to the contest after a three-year absence.
It’s the first chance to get a peek at the staging of some of the big hitters who will appear in Saturday’s Grand Final, including our very own LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER with his anthemic song, ‘Eins, Zwei, Drei’.
Eurovision 2026, Semi-Final 1
Tuesday 12 May, 8pm – BBC iPlayer and BBC One
In the first Semi-Final, the first group of countries will compete for a place in Saturday’s Grand Final. The 15 countries competing are: Moldova, Sweden, Croatia, Greece, Portugal, Georgia, Finland, Montenegro, Estonia, Israel, Belgium, Lithuania, San Marino, Poland, and Serbia
The pre-qualified ‘Big Four’ countries performing and voting during the first Semi-Final are: Italy and Germany. Viewers in the UK cannot vote during this Semi-Final.
The show will open with a journey through time, demonstrating that the seven-decade history of the Eurovision Song Contest represents ‘70 Years of Love’: a film that portrays the life of a couple set against the backdrop of the world’s biggest live music show.
A 70-member choir will then launch the first Semi-Final with a tribute to ‘L’amour Est Bleu’ – one of the most popular Eurovision hits of all time. The song was performed when the city of Vienna first hosted the Contest in 1967.
While the votes are coming in, the interval act will see hosts Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski finally settle how to easily distinguish Austria from Australia, via a light-hearted musical performance. They will be joined by the Milkshake Man, Go-Jo, who represented Australia at Basel 2025.
Eurovision 2026, Semi-Final 2
Tuesday 14 May, 8pm – BBC iPlayer and BBC One
The second Semi-Final will feature 15 different acts taking to the stage in the hope of securing a place in Saturday’s Grand Final. Viewers in the United Kingdom will be able to vote for their favourites in this Semi-Final and UK viewers are in for a treat, as the UK act LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER takes to the Eurovision stage for the first time to perform his song ‘Eins, Zwei, Drei’, before he competes in Saturday’s Grand Final.
The ‘Big Four’ countries performing and voting during the second Semi-Final are: France and the United Kingdom, with pre-qualified hosts Austria also performing.
Competing this evening are: Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Romania, Luxembourg, Czechia, Armenia, Switzerland, Cyprus, Latvia, Denmark, Australia, Ukraine, Albania, Malta, and Norway.
The hosting duo of Victoria and Michael will open the show and kick off proceedings with a different take on JJ’s high octane 2025 winning song ‘Wasted Love’, and later JJ will take the stage to present viewers with a brand-new song.
Eurovision 2026, The Grand Final with Graham Norton
Saturday 16 May, 8pm – BBC iPlayer and BBC One
In the Grand Final, the remaining 25 countries, including the UK’s LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER, will battle it out for the win. Delighting audiences throughout the night with his famously witty insights, is master of ceremonies and seasoned Eurovision expert, Graham Norton.
Graham Norton says: “It feels really special to be back, gently guiding viewers through the Grand Final in this very momentous 70th anniversary year.”
Hosted by Austrian stars, Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski, the Grand Final of Eurovision 2026 will be awash with treats and surprises for the viewers across the globe. The opening act The Queen of the Night will see 2025 winner JJ showcase his remarkable vocal abilities as he seamlessly blends Mozart-inspired elements with his own music, alongside more than 40 dancers and acrobats, as the 25 Grand Finalists are introduced in the iconic flag parade.
Viewers will then be treated to the 25 competing entries as they take to the stage one by one, giving the performance of a lifetime in the hopes of being crowned the Eurovision 2026 winner.
During the voting period, three interval acts will take to the stage including a selection of Eurovision All Stars who will perform iconic songs from the Contest’s history to celebrate the 70th anniversary, Austrian electro-swing icon Parov Stelar will showcase his distinctive dance sound and striking visuals, and finally a soulful version of Billy Joel’s ‘Vienna’ will be performed by Austrian Eurovision legend César Sampson.
Eurovision 2026 on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds
Eurovision 2026 – Semi Final 1 with Sara Cox
Tuesday 12 May, 8pm until 11.30pm
Live from Vienna, Austria, it’s Eurovision 2026! The newly announced Radio 2 Breakfast Show host Sara Cox brings you the first Eurovision Semi-Final.
Presenter: Sara Cox
Producer: Patrick Thomas for BBC Audio
Sara Cox‘s teatime show – live from Vienna
Wednesday 13 May, 4pm until 7pm
Sara Cox gets you through teatime live from Austria, host of Eurovision 2026. Expect plenty of giggles and some fab music, and all the Eurovision gossip in the run-up to Saturday’s Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Presenter: Sara Cox
Producer: Chloe Taylor for BBC Audio
Eurovision 2026 – Semi-Final 2 with Sara Cox
Thursday 14 May, 8pm until 11.30pm
Live from Vienna, Austria, it’s Eurovision 2026! The newly announced Radio 2 Breakfast Show host Sara Cox brings you the second Eurovision Semi-Final. The UK entry LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER will take to the stage for the first time in Eurovision week.
Presenter: Sara Cox
Producer: Patrick Thomas for BBC Audio
Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Eurovision Kitchen Disco
Friday 15 May, 9pm until 11pm
Sophie hosts her annual Eurovision themed Kitchen Disco. Get ready for the sounds, colour, excitement, and sheer energy of Sophie’s annual Eurovision Disco special! Expect back-to-back Europop, plus loads of previous winners and near misses.
Presenter: Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Producer: David Manero for Listen Entertainment
Dermot O’Leary
Saturday 16 May, 8am until 10am
On this Eurovision Super Saturday, Dermot will be blasting the Eurovision tunes as his World Cup Of Great Sport TV Themes continues. To mark a great Summer of Sport, World Cup Of Great Sport TV Themes sees two iconic tunes face off each week. This week it’s the BBC’s Ski Sunday versus ITV’s The Big Match!
Presenter: Dermot O’Leary
Producer: Ben Walker for Ora et Labora
Sophie Ellis Bextor with ‘Your Ultimate Eurovision Superstar!’
Saturday 16 May, 1pm until 3pm
It’s a double dose of Sophie Ellis-Bextor this week on Radio 2. In addition to her Eurovision Kitchen Disco on Friday, Sophie continues the Eurovision vibes with a countdown the Top 40 of ‘Your Ultimate Eurovision Superstar!’ The Radio 2 listeners have voted for their stand-out artists from 70 years of Eurovision history.
The race for first place includes Celine Dion, Olivia Newton-John, Johnny Logan, Loreen, and ABBA! It’s a playlist packed full of karaoke classics, epic ballads, and non-stop pop with music spanning from the 60s to present day. The public vote took place after the Radio 2 family put together a shortlist of 70 iconic artists from 70 years of Eurovision history.
Presenter: Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Producer: Emilio Porto for BBC Audio
Richie Anderson
Saturday 16 May, 3pm until 6pm
Richie, who currently presents a show to kick off each week every Sunday night into Monday (midnight – 3am), brings the Eurovision excitement to Saturday afternoon!
Presenter: Richie Anderson
Producer: Jenny Ward for BBC Audio
All Request Eurovision with Ellie Taylor
Saturday 16 May, 6pm until 8pm
The countdown is on as the nation gets ready to cheer on the UK’s LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER at the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, and in the final two hours before the final begins, Ellie Taylor is ramping up the excitement and finding out how the UK is preparing for the world’s biggest music contest and playing YOUR favourite party songs. Text 88-2-91 to send in your song requests.
Presenter: Ellie Taylor
Producer: Ste Softley for Mostest
Eurovision 2026 – The Eurovision Grand Final with Sara Cox and Rylan
Saturday 16 May, 8pm until 11.30pm
Live from Vienna, Austria, it’s Eurovision 2026! The newly announced Radio 2 Breakfast Show host Sara Cox and Rylan bring you the Eurovision 2026 Grand Final.
25 Grand Finalists including the UK’s LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER, will battle it out for the premiere place on the leaderboard at the 70th edition of the world-famous Eurovision Song Contest.
Presenters: Sara Cox and Rylan
Producer: Patrick Thomas for BBC Audio
The Eurovision After Party with OJ Borg
Saturday 16 May, predicted to be 11.30pm until 3am
OJ keeps the Eurovision party going for all those who aren’t quite ready for bed yet!
Presenter: OJ Borg
Producer: Andy Warrell for BBC Audio