Eurovision Song Contest 2026

archfi · 17-05-2026 12:26AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124475098#Comment_124475098

Yeah, I thought Australia was very good but I was very surprised by the juries putting Bulgaria top, not surprised with the public vote for it. Bulgaria's not great IMO but obv a stomper for the summer.

Hopefully that puts an end to the falsetto crap over the past few years.

I'd say Bulgaria are broke but that won't stop them hosting it, big thing for East/Southeast Europe I'd imagine.

I enjoyed tonight, didn't enjoy the week I thought the hosting was awful at times but overall was a good year after all.

Ozymandius2011 · 17-05-2026 12:29AM

Congratulations to Bulgaria. I didnt actually know it was on today as I was boycotting it. (Eurovision not Bulgaria). The fact I was boycotting it meant I didnt look up when it was on.

supereurope · 17-05-2026 12:38AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124475124#Comment_124475124

"But ho hum, here’s to ESC 2027 where the EXACT same scenario will play out again."

There's an awful lot of people making the exact same comments on BlueSky or Reddit tonight that they made this night 12 months ago.

It really can't go on like this. But the EBU has made its decision. Nothing will change. I would love nothing more than for things to change between now and May 2027, but it's not happening. And we'll face this all again next year.

And as with Hurricane and New Day Will Rise, Michelle was an average song, nothing more than that. And despite the massive "support", I can guarantee you none of us will ever hear it again.

archfi · 17-05-2026 12:38AM

And for the love of God, will the UK ever, ever get up off their hole and send something decent.

Zeroes and one pointers is not right for a country with such a mahoosive pool of talent, it's kinda unbelievable.

Same for Ireland btw but RTE have decided not to give the chance to any aspiring talent for the forseeable

mrcheez · 17-05-2026 12:39AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124475135#Comment_124475135

I only heard Australia this morning and Bulgaria for the first time during the show. Before the show I thought Australia was going to win, but then after seeing Bulgaria it stuck in my head so I knew it would do well.

Israels song was forgettable so definitely wouldn't have come 2nd had it been performed by a different country.

Thought Sweden and Italy were good. I think Sweden scored low because the singer wore a mask, but the tune was catchy.

Oscar_Madison · 17-05-2026 12:42AM

So how did Israel get such a high ranking and come 2nd? Is it Jews all over Europe voting Israel? Or manipulation of some kind of the public voting system? Or is the majority of Europeans favouring Israel?
I just don’t get it. They were 8th or 9th in the jury voting so it’s not like they did shabbily anyway so there’s a modicum of support for them throughout Europe- even UK gave them 7 points I think

squonk · 17-05-2026 12:43AM

i’m glad I boycotted the competition this year. I did enjoy reading some of the comments and the buildup here.

I’m honestly starting to wonder though what is the point of this competition anymore? It’s becoming more than a trend at this point that Israel is doing dramatically better than their entries would suggest. It looks at this point like there is the expectation that cheating is going to happen and there seems to be some background discussion and consensus on a viable entry to counteract that. This yearBulgaria. Last year Austria. What is the point of entering a competition where you can’t even get second place legitimately? I’ve been a fan of the Eurovision for over 40 years but it looks like the writing could be on the wall at this point. It just feels very unfair on decent competitors competing fairly.

ihateboards · 17-05-2026 12:45AM

You could calculate the number of remaining audience votes remaining after each country gets theirs. 35 countries by 58 votes = 2030 available. If you were tracking the reducing balance you'd have known the Bulgarian were going to win. In fact if the unallocated votes were twice the gap to Israel before the final two countries got theirs you'd know that Israel would be caught.

in2dark · 17-05-2026 12:52AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124475155#Comment_124475155

Public is 36 not 35 times 58. The 36th is rest of the world (online)

mrcheez · 17-05-2026 12:58AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124475153#Comment_124475153

I heard all it takes is for 500 people to vote 10 times for Israel to get it to the top

Welsh Megaman · 17-05-2026 12:59AM

No shock by saying this, but the voting system really does need to be completely overhauled.

Loved it when Dara had to perform ‘Bangaranga’ starting up in the green room with all the chaos behind her - her dancers still kept it tight. Well done. 🙂

Capt'n Midnight · 17-05-2026 01:04AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124475168#Comment_124475168

AFAIK 10 times per burner SIM and 10 times per single use Revolut credit card on the site.

eSIM's can be ordered on line.

gmisk · 17-05-2026 01:13AM

Very deserving winners. Interestingly the pub I was in, in New York went crazy when they won.

I am half intrigued to see what would happen to Eurovision going forward if Israel did win...

gmisk · 17-05-2026 01:35AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124475101#Comment_124475101

I think Belgium broadcaster might have floated it already...

The Cush · 17-05-2026 01:45AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124475192#Comment_124475192

Yes I read that earlier, the Flemish public broadcaster organisers next year's event, French speaking broadcaster this year.

VRT has said it may not enter if Israel is there.

Say Your Number · 17-05-2026 01:51AM

Didn't watch it this year, seems like the same bollox again with Israel as the last few years, I know this site seems to be on the way out, but I was following this thread and it seemed fairly dead, in 2024 it ran for 195 pages and the Mods shut it because of the bickering, last year it was 123 pages long, only 68 this year it was at page 40 when the contest started.

Listened to UK a while ago, probably a bit quirky for it's own good but last seemed harsh.

Strazdas · 17-05-2026 01:52AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124475153#Comment_124475153

I don't think it's Jewish people at all. It's much more likely to be 'fans' of Netanyahu, the Israeli government and their policies trying to disrupt the Contest - they probably don't even normally watch Eurovision, but just tune in to block vote.

Strazdas · 17-05-2026 01:54AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124475181#Comment_124475181

Having watched the winning entry, it's a cracking good song - possibly the best winner since Maneskin in 2021.

lumphammer2 · 17-05-2026 03:56AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124475154#Comment_124475154

Those murdering fascists should not even be in it …… kick em out like Milosevic years ago ….. Netanyahu should not be using this cheating as a way to legitimise himself ….. did not watch for this very reason ….. saw similar result to last year …… methinks right decision made …… get these lowlives out of Eurovision ….. and get back to it being entertainment …… or else accept the ISIS entry !!! ….. it is one or the other !!!

lumphammer2 · 17-05-2026 03:59AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124475201#Comment_124475201

Far right voters with 20+ phones each across all countries …… all admiring Netanyahu as ideal Fuhrer ….. most fans of Netanyahu are anti-Jew self styled Neo-Christist cultists ….. who think Jesus is 'too woke' …..

lumphammer2 · 17-05-2026 04:12AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124475200#Comment_124475200

Israel should have been last …… or ideally banned like Milosevic ….. fascist dictators should not be normalised ….. Netanyahu is pure satanic leader of Israel and America ….. creating multiple wars and unneeded trouble ….. reason I did not watch Eurovision …. but GLAD Bulgaria and Austria beat him both times ……

Galwayguy35 · 17-05-2026 05:10AM

The lead singer seems like a genuinely nice person, no airs and graces about her from what I've seen in interviews.

Panthro · 17-05-2026 05:47AM

6 Celtic Nations competition anyone? Different venue each year. No big stage productions just proper songs.

Be a bitta craic.

StarryPlough01 · 17-05-2026 07:08AM

Noam Bettan’s rhythms sounded more Arabic (Arabic drums). His lyrics (‘Michelle’) when translated were quite shallow. He was subpar in the Jury’s vote, but was pushed to second place by the international public vote. I don’t think he deserved second position.

I think all the lobbying by President Herzog; as well as Netanyahu being warned about allocating 1 million from his office’s Hasbara fund for marketing; etc., was to be able to host the Eurovision next year in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv. Congratulations to Bulgaria’s win with Dara.

I preferred Ukraine’s Leleka. The lyrics ‘Ridhym’ - a fusion of modern ballad and traditional Ukrainian folk, I guess - had depth. I believe she deserved better than 9th position. She was accompanied by folk bandurist Yaroslav Dzhus. I would buy tickets to go and see Leleka perform with other artists.

AyeGer · 17-05-2026 07:31AM

As it’s Eurovision I don’t think Israel should be in it for geographical reasons, same with Australia no harm to them. Israel is a Middle Eastern country.

mrcheez · 17-05-2026 08:05AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124475288#Comment_124475288

Supposedly it's related to the EBU broadcasting area rather than the European countries

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Broadcasting_Union

So in theory Jordan or Libya could also take part

Red Silurian · 17-05-2026 08:19AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124475288#Comment_124475288

Australia were invited a few years ago and due to the success were made permanent contestants. Australians have been mad about Eurovision for years and most of the population there are European descendants so it makes a degree of sense to have them there

squonk · 17-05-2026 10:48AM

Agree that this is one of the quietest years on this thread. It would be double the size other years. It has been a bit more pleasurable with this year though because there seems to be less posters who are registered a few days before coming on trying to derail the thread. The way things are going it could be an even quieter threat this time next year.

Capt'n Midnight · 17-05-2026 11:16AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124475320#Comment_124475320

Arab countries like Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia boycott Eurovision because of Israel.

Turkey are boycotting because, other reasons, but Israel's presence doesn't help.

This year an additional five countries boycotted the event.

Famous Seamus · 17-05-2026 11:46AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124475153#Comment_124475153

TBH I don't think there are enough Jews in Europe to skew the Israeli vote, not all of them will support what the Israeli government's doing in Gaza, more will have zero interest in the ESC. I think we're more likely looking at some sort of manipulation but I can't tell what form this takes. There are also a group of people out there who are easily influenced and if they are told enough to vote for something they will. Whatever is going on it's a huge elephant in the room that the EBU are unwilling to tackle.

Eurovision Song Contest 2026

Comments