How to watch Eurovision Song Contest 2026 - Semi-Final 2
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Semi-Final 2 of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest takes place on Thursday, May 14, 2026, live from the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria. Another fifteen countries compete for ten qualifying places in the Grand Final on May 16. The UK presenters are Rylan and Angela Scanlon, who are live from Vienna for both semi-finals.
In the UK, the show airs free on BBC iPlayer. US fans can watch on Peacock or the Eurovision YouTube channel, free 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 (Friday, May 15), 5:00 AM AEST (Friday, May 15).
Where to watch Eurovision 2026 Semi-Final 2
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 | Peacock | From $7.99/month |
| United States | Eurovision YouTube | Free |
| Australia | SBS / SBS On Demand | Free |
| Canada | Eurovision YouTube | Free |
| Global | Eurovision YouTube | Free (where available) |
How to watch Eurovision Semi-Final 2 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 connecting to a UK or Australian server.
To watch free via BBC iPlayer (UK):
- 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 2. You will need a free BBC account.
- Start streaming for free. Keep the VPN active throughout the show.
To watch free via SBS On Demand (Australia):
- Connect to an Australian server in NordVPN instead.
- Go to SBS On Demand and find the Eurovision live stream. A free SBS account is required.
- Start watching for free.
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 the platform recognizes as valid. You are accessing a free, legitimate public broadcaster from a different physical location. 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 with access to UK and Australian server networks. 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 2: running order
Fifteen countries compete in the second semi-final. The ten countries with the most combined jury and public votes qualify for the Grand Final on May 16. France and the United Kingdom, as pre-qualified Big Five countries, also perform during Semi-Final 2 but do not compete for a qualifying place. Austria performs as host country guest act.
| Country | Artist | Song |
| Bulgaria | DARA | "Bangaranga" |
| Azerbaijan | JIVA | "Just Go" |
| Romania | Alexandra Capitanescu | "Choke Me" |
| Luxembourg | Eva Marija | "Mother Nature" |
| Czechia | Daniel Zizka | "Crossroads" |
| France (guest) | Monroe | "Regarde!" |
| Armenia | SIMON | "Paloma Rumba" |
| Switzerland | Veronica Fusaro | "Alice" |
| Cyprus | Antigoni | "Jalla" |
| Austria (guest) | COSMO | "Tanzschein" |
| Latvia | Atvara | "Ena" |
| Denmark | Soren Torpegaard Lund | "For Vi Gar Hjem" |
| Australia | Delta Goodrem | "Eclipse" |
| Ukraine | Leleka | "Ridnym" |
| Albania | Alis | "Nan" |
| Malta | AIDAN | "Bella" |
| Norway | Jonas Lovv | "YA YA YA" |
France and Austria perform as guest acts (pre-qualified Big Five / host country) and do not compete for a qualifying place.
Eurovision 2026 Semi-Final 2: start times by country
| Country | Local time | Date |
| Vienna, Austria (CEST) | 9:00 PM | Thursday, May 14 |
| United Kingdom (BST) | 8:00 PM | Thursday, May 14 |
| United States (ET) | 3:00 PM | Thursday, May 14 |
| United States (PT) | 12:00 PM | Thursday, May 14 |
| India (IST) | 1:30 AM | Friday, May 15 |
| Australia (AEST) | 5:00 AM | Friday, May 15 |
Australia in Semi-Final 2
Semi-Final 2 has a special significance for Australian viewers. Delta Goodrem represents Australia this year with her entry, performing in position 13 in the running order. Australia has been a non-geographic participant in the Eurovision Song Contest since 2015, and Delta Goodrem is one of the country's most celebrated music stars, making this a particularly high-profile entry for the Australian delegation. SBS, Australia's dedicated Eurovision broadcaster, carries full live coverage free on TV and on demand.
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.
