Eurovision 2026: Moldova among three returning countries as five states boycott Vienna edition
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) confirmed on Monday, December 15, the list of broadcasters participating in the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. A total of 35 countries, including the Republic of Moldova, will send their representatives to Vienna from May 12 to May 16, 2026. Meanwhile, five countries announced a boycott of next year's competition.
The organizers welcome the return of Bulgaria, Romania, and Moldova to the contest after being absent for three, two, and one year, respectively.
“As we prepare to celebrate 70 years of Eurovision, it remains a place where voices, cultures, languages, and music intertwine—a place where people from diverse backgrounds can demonstrate that, in a difficult world, a better one is possible. We are delighted to welcome back broadcasters BNT (Bulgaria), TVR (Romania), and TRM (Moldova), who join the other 32 public broadcasters for Vienna 2026. Their return is a testament to the enduring power of the Eurovision Song Contest and what it truly means to be united through music,” said Eurovision Director Martin Green in a statement from the EBU.
The draw to determine which semi-final participants will compete in will take place in Vienna on Monday, January 12.
For the first time since 2022, juries will also vote in the contest's semi-finals. Their points will be combined with the public vote to determine the ten songs that qualify from each semi-final on May 12 and 14.
The host country, Austria, along with France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom, will automatically qualify for the Grand Final on May 16. Viewers from all participating countries, along with juries appointed by the 35 broadcasters, will vote to decide the winner of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest.
“We look forward to welcoming every delegation and, of course, we will be warm hosts to all 35 participating broadcasters in May,” said Michael Krön, executive producer of ORF, Austria’s public broadcaster.
We remind you that public television stations in Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain announced they will boycott the 70th edition of the contest. Swiss artist Nemo, the winner of the 2024 edition, returned the trophy in protest of Israel's participation due to its actions in the war against Hamas in Gaza.
On December 4, the European Broadcasting Union's members decided that a vote on whether to keep Israel in the competition was unnecessary.
The company Teleradio-Moldova received 37 submissions from artists interested in representing Moldova at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. The list includes both established artists and newcomers.
Auditions will take place on December 16, starting at 11:00 AM, in Studio 2 of Public Television, where artists will perform their songs live in front of the producers of the national selection.
