How to watch Eurovision Song Contest 2026 Semi-Final 1
Our in-house cybersecurity experts and journalists, renowned for major reports like The Mother of All Breaches, conduct transparent, unbiased VPN testing and in-depth analysis.
With 750+ articles crafted based on real-world research, we empower readers to make informed purchasing decisions through first-hand expertise.
Learn more
The 70th Eurovision Song Contest kicks off with its first semi-final on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, live from the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria. Fifteen countries take to the stage, each competing for one of ten qualifying spots in the Grand Final on May 16. The semi-final is presented on BBC by Rylan and Angela Scanlon, who are live from Vienna for all three nights.
In the UK, the show airs free on BBC iPlayer. In the US, fans can watch on Peacock or the Eurovision YouTube channel, which is offering a free live stream in the United States for the first time in 2026. In Australia, SBS and SBS On Demand carry the event free.
The show begins at 21:00 CEST, that is 8:00 PM BST, 3:00 PM ET, 12:00 PM PT, 1:30 AM IST (Wednesday, May 13), 5:00 AM AEST (Wednesday, May 13).
Where to watch Eurovision 2026 Semi-Final 1
Below is a complete overview of where to watch in your country.
| Country | Streaming service | Price |
| United Kingdom | BBC One / BBC iPlayer | Free |
| United Kingdom | BBC Radio 2 / BBC Sounds | Free |
| United States | Eurovision YouTube | Free |
| Australia | SBS / SBS On Demand | Free |
| United States | Peacock | From $7.99/month |
| Canada | Eurovision YouTube | Free |
| Global | Eurovision YouTube | Free (where available) |
How to watch Eurovision Semi-Final 1 for free from anywhere
BBC iPlayer carries the full show free in the UK, but it is geo-restricted and will not load outside the country. SBS On Demand is similarly restricted to Australian IP addresses. A reliable VPN for streaming lets you access either platform from anywhere by changing your virtual location to the UK or Australia.
- Choose a VPN with UK servers. We recommend NordVPN. It operates servers across multiple locations, includes a strong UK server network, and uses the NordLynx protocol for fast, stable HD streaming. It reliably unblocks BBC iPlayer and supports Smart DNS for devices without native VPN apps.
- Download and install the NordVPN app on your device, available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Android TV, and Amazon Fire TV.
- Connect to a UK server to get a British IP address.
- Go to BBC iPlayer and search for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 Semi-Final 1. You will need a free BBC account to watch.
- Start streaming for free. Keep the VPN active throughout the show. If the stream does not load, try switching to a different UK server.
Why you need a VPN to watch Eurovision for free
BBC iPlayer and SBS On Demand are both free, publicly funded platforms, but they are only accessible within their home countries due to broadcasting rights restrictions. Outside the UK, BBC iPlayer detects your IP address and blocks access automatically. SBS operates under the same geo-restriction for Australian viewers.
A VPN routes your connection through a server in the target country, giving you a local IP address that the platform recognizes as valid. You are accessing a free, legitimate public broadcaster from a different physical location. This is one of the most common legitimate uses of VPN technology.
For fans in Canada and other countries without a dedicated domestic broadcaster, the Eurovision YouTube channel is the best option – it streams all three shows free in most regions in 2026. For a full breakdown of tested providers, see our guide to the best VPNs for streaming.
Best VPNs to watch Eurovision 2026 for free
These VPNs have been tested for unblocking BBC iPlayer and SBS On Demand and provide fast, stable performance for live event streaming.
- NordVPN – the top pick for unblocking BBC iPlayer and SBS On Demand. Prices start at $3.49/month. In testing it retained around 83% of base speeds, making it well suited to a three-hour live show. NordLynx minimizes buffering and Smart DNS adds device flexibility. Read our full NordVPN review.
- Surfshark – a strong budget option starting at $2.49/month with unlimited simultaneous connections. Its UK and Australian servers reliably unblock BBC iPlayer and SBS On Demand, with WireGuard speeds around 82% of baseline for uninterrupted Eurovision coverage. Read our full Surfshark review.
- Proton VPN – Switzerland-based with 20,300+ servers in 148 countries and solid UK coverage. The premium plan starts at $2.99/month and a free tier is available. A strong privacy-first choice for fans who want to stream Eurovision securely from abroad. Read our full Proton VPN review.
Eurovision 2026 Semi-Final 1: running order
Fifteen countries compete in the first semi-final. The ten countries with the most combined jury and public votes qualify for the Grand Final on May 16. Italy and Germany, as pre-qualified Big Five countries, also perform during Semi-Final 1 but do not compete for a qualifying place.
| # | Country | Artist | Song |
| 1 | Moldova | Satoshi | "Viva, Moldova!" |
| 2 | Sweden | FELICIA | "My System" |
| 3 | Croatia | LELEK | "Andromeda" |
| 4 | Greece | Akylas | "Ferto" |
| 5 | Portugal | Bandidos do Cante | "Rosa" |
| 6 | Georgia | Bzikebi | "On Replay" |
| 7 | Italy (guest) | Sal Da Vinci | "Per Sempre Si" |
| 8 | Finland | Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen | "Liekinheitin" |
| 9 | Montenegro | Tamara Zivkovic | "Nova Zora" |
| 10 | Estonia | Vanilla Ninja | "Too Epic To Be True" |
| 11 | Israel | Noam Bettan | "Michelle" |
| 12 | Belgium | ESSYLA | "Dancing on the Ice" |
| 13 | Lithuania | Lion Ceccah | "Solo Quiero Mas" |
| 14 | San Marino | SENHIT | "Superstar" |
| 15 | Poland | ALICJA | "Pray" |
| 16 | Serbia | LAVINA | "Kraj Mene" |
Italy performs as a guest act. As a pre-qualified Big Five country, it does not compete for a qualifying spot.
Eurovision 2026 Semi-Final 1: start times by country
| Country | Local time | Date |
| Vienna, Austria (CEST) | 9:00 PM | Tuesday, May 12 |
| United Kingdom (BST) | 8:00 PM | Tuesday, May 12 |
| United States (ET) | 3:00 PM | Tuesday, May 12 |
| United States (PT) | 12:00 PM | Tuesday, May 12 |
| India (IST) | 1:30 AM | Wednesday, May 13 |
| Australia (AEST) | 5:00 AM | Wednesday, May 13 |
About Eurovision 2026
The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest is the 70th edition of the competition, hosted in Vienna, Austria. Austria earned hosting rights after winning the 2025 contest in Basel, Switzerland. The three shows take place at the Wiener Stadthalle, Semi-Final 1 on May 12, Semi-Final 2 on May 14, and the Grand Final on May 16. A total of 35 countries are competing across the 2026 edition, with 15 in each semi-final.
