How to watch Eurovision in the USA in 2026
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Say what you want about Eurovision, but there's nothing else like it. The world's longest-running annual TV music contest has been going strong since 1956, and this year marks the 70th edition of the contest. It's being held at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria, after the country's victory at the 2025 contest with "Wasted Love" performed by JJ. This year, the semi-finals take place on Tuesday 12th and Thursday 14th May, with the Grand Final on Saturday 16th May.
| Date: | Saturday, May 16 |
| Time: | 3 PM EDT / 9 PM CET / 12 PM PT |
| Watch anywhere: | Get NordVPN – 75% OFF |
| Watch for FREE: | BBC iPlayer, BBC One |
| Watch in the US: | Peacock TV, Eurovision YouTube |
Eurovision may be a global phenomenon, but the right to broadcast it doesn't travel with it. Streaming rights are divided by region, meaning viewers in the US and other non-participating countries often hit a wall when they try to tune in. Meanwhile, audiences across Europe can stream the entire contest.
The best way to get around the issue is to use a VPN with fast speeds. It can change your IP location and unblock BBC iPlayer or BBC One in order to watch Eurovision in the US for free.
In this article, we'll provide you with a short guide on how to watch Eurovision in the USA with a VPN. What is more, you'll find various streaming services and all recommended VPNs to choose from for the best experience.
How to watch Eurovision in the USA for free
- Get a reliable VPN service. NordVPN is now 75% OFF!
- Download and install the VPN onto your device
- Connect to a server in a country streaming Eurovision, like the UK
- Find a streaming platform. We recommend BBC iPlayer
- You can now watch Eurovision and vote for your favorite artists!
Why should you get a VPN before watching Eurovision?
Access to Eurovision live streams is governed by copyright laws and regional licensing agreements, which means viewers outside the UK are routinely blocked from some of the best free coverage available. BBC iPlayer remains the gold standard for Eurovision broadcasting, but its content is restricted to UK-based IP addresses. Attempt to stream from the US and you'll be met with a geo-restriction error.
Fortunately, there’s a simple way to get out of this situation – download a reliable VPN and connect to a server in a country, for example, in the UK, where you can watch Eurovision without any restrictions. Then you’ll be provided with a UK IP address – so it looks as though you’re logging in from that country. UK broadcasters will then lift restrictions and provide access to Eurovision live streams.
Where it gets more complicated is choosing the right provider. VPN quality varies considerably; many struggle to bypass geo-restrictions on major broadcasters, and others fall short on the security and speed that a live stream demands.
To cut through the noise, I've put the leading providers through their paces. The three recommendations below have all proven capable of reliably unblocking Eurovision across multiple streaming platforms without compromise.
Best VPNs to watch Eurovision online in USA
- NordVPN – best all-around VPN to watch Eurovision 2026 online
- Surfshark – most affordable and stable VPN to unblock Eurovision
- Proton VPN – free and reliable VPN for Eurovision
Where can I watch Eurovision online in the US
You can watch Eurovision in the US on Peacock, but this is a paid service, with prices starting at $7.99/month. The best way to watch Eurovision for free in the US in 2026 is on BBC iPlayer. It’s also available to watch for free on france.tv, SBS On Demand, and daserste.de, but the commentary will most likely be in the language of the broadcaster’s country. Of course, you will need a VPN to access these channels if you’re outside of the country in which they are broadcast.
| Streaming platform | Location |
| BBC iPlayer (BBC Sounds, BBC One) | United Kingdom |
| Peacock TV | USA |
| YouTube | USA |
| SBS On Demand | Australia |
| daserste.de | Germany |
| france.tv | France |
How to stream Eurovision in any country
If Eurovision is unavailable to stream in your location, there’s no need to despair. You can catch the contest online from absolutely anywhere in the world using a VPN.
Here’s how to watch the Eurovision song contest from anywhere in the world:
- Download and install a VPN with loads of servers. NordVPN is my top choice
- Create an account
- Connect to a server in a country that streams Eurovision
- Log in to your streaming platform
- Search for Eurovision and enjoy!
How to stream Eurovision in the US on Peacock TV
In the US, Eurovision 2026 will be broadcast exclusively on Peacock. You can either stream Eurovision live or watch it on demand. The first semi-final will take place on Tuesday, May 12, and the second one on Thursday, May 14, both starting at 3 PM EDT in the US. At the same time on Saturday, May 16, you can tune in to watch the finals.
The only drawback is that you’ll need to get Peacock plan for $7.99/month to stream Eurovision live. If that’s not something you’re willing to do, simply get a VPN that offers an extensive money-back guarantee, connect to the UK server and watch the contest on BBC iPlayer for free.
Got a VPN but still can’t stream Eurovision?
Struggling to stream Eurovision, even though you have a VPN? Don’t panic, there are plenty of possible explanations – and just as many solutions!
I’ve outlined some potential reasons below:
- Your real IP address is leaking.
- Your VPN is unable to bypass geo-restrictions.
- Cookies on your device reveal your actual location.
- Eurovision broadcasters have blocked the servers that your VPN is connected to.
- Your IP address and the GPS location of your device don’t match.
You can try the following solutions to address these problems:
- Enable your VPN’s leak protection settings.
- Contact the customer support service of your VPN provider.
- Clear the cookies and cache on your device.
- Load a new web browser.
If you’re still stuck, it may be time to choose a VPN that works on multiple devices. Our top choice to watch Eurovision in the USA is NordVPN, as it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, loads of UK servers, and is perfect for streaming.
Eurovision 2026 schedule
The main Eurovision contest takes place over three exhilarating events. Details of which can be found below:
| Event | Date & time |
| Eurovision first semi-final | Tuesday, May 12, at 9 PM CET / 3 PM EDT / 12 PM PT |
| Eurovision second semi-final | Thursday, May 14, at 9 PM CET / 3 PM EDT / 12 PM PT |
| Eurovision grand final | Saturday, May 16, at 9 PM CET / 3 PM EDT / 12 PM PT |
To stay up to date with the latest news and schedule, it’s worth keeping an eye on the official Eurovision website. You can also follow live updates on the Eurovision 2026 Twitter account.
First semi final line-up (Tuesday, May 12th)
The first live show of the 70th Eurovision kicks off on Tuesday, 12 May at 21:00 CEST from Vienna's Wiener Stadthalle, and it's a competitive one. Fifteen countries take the stage with just ten spots up for grabs in the Grand Final. Germany and Italy, both pre-qualified as part of the Big 5, will also perform during the show for a first look at their entries ahead of Saturday.
This year's semi-final field spans the breadth of Europe, with entries ranging from Moldovan folk-pop fusion to Nordic synth-driven pop. The full running order: Moldova, Sweden, Croatia, Greece, Portugal, Georgia, Finland, Montenegro, Estonia, Israel, Belgium, Lithuania, San Marino, Poland, and Serbia.
Finland enters as the bookmakers' frontrunner, with Greece and Sweden not far behind — though on Eurovision night, the unexpected is always on the cards.
Second semi final line-up (Thursday, May 14th)
Thursday's show brings a different flavour to the Wiener Stadthalle, and if anything, a broader musical canvas. Another fifteen countries compete for ten Grand Final spots, with the stakes just as high as Tuesday. This time it's Austria, France, and the United Kingdom who take the stage in non-competitive showcase performances ahead of Saturday's final.
The second semi-final field stretches from Eastern Europe to the Southern Hemisphere, with Australia making its perennial appearance alongside a strong contingent of Balkan and Central European acts. The full line-up: Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Romania, Luxembourg, Czech Republic, Armenia, Switzerland, Cyprus, Latvia, Denmark, Australia, Ukraine, Albania, Malta, and Norway.
With several dark horse contenders in this half of the draw, Ukraine and Switzerland among them, Thursday's show could be where the real surprises of the 70th edition emerge.
FAQs
How can I watch Eurovision in the US?
To watch Eurovision in the US, you simply need to download a VPN and connect to a server in a country broadcasting the contest – like the UK. NordVPN is a great choice for this!
How can I watch Eurovision abroad?
To watch Eurovision abroad, all you need is a reliable internet connection and a VPN. With a VPN, you can connect to a server in a country broadcasting the contest, for example, the UK. NordVPN is a strong option here.
Is it legal to watch Eurovision with a VPN?
It is completely legal to watch Eurovision with a VPN unless you’re in a location where VPNs are banned. We highly recommend NordVPN as a legal means of streaming Eurovision from anywhere in the world.
What time is Eurovision 2026?
All three Eurovision 2026 shows start at the same time: 9:00 PM CEST (8:00 PM BST / 3:00 PM ET). Semi-Final 1 is on Tuesday, May 12, Semi-Final 2 is on Thursday, May 14, and the Grand Final is on Saturday, May 16.
