EUROVISION fans are gearing up for the Grand Final, with Vienna playing host to the 70th edition of the world’s biggest song contest.
The UK is hoping to break a near three-decade losing streak, but if Look Mum No Computer does pull off a shock win, will he be heading home with a fat cheque?
When is the Eurovision Song Contest 2026?
The Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final takes place on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna.
It is the the third time Austria has played host, after staging Eurovision in 1967 and 2015.
The first semi-final took place on Tuesday, May 12, which was followed by the second on Thursday, May 14.
Twenty-five countries are competing in the Grand Final.
This year’s contest features 35 participating nations – two fewer than in 2025, and the smallest line-up since 2003.
Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain have all pulled out in protest at Israel’s inclusion.
What is the Eurovision 2026 prize money?
The answer may surprise some fans.
Despite Eurovision pulling in more than 160million viewers last year, the winning act does not pocket a single euro in cash.
There is no prize money on offer at all.
Instead, the winner is handed the famous Crystal Microphone trophy.
The hand-made glass award has been presented to every champion since 2008.
It was designed by Swedish artist Kjell Engman of glassware firm Kosta Boda and is styled like a classic 1950s microphone.
Smaller versions of the trophy are also given to the songwriters and composers behind the winning entry.
The real reward is the global launchpad Eurovision provides.
ABBA shot to superstardom after winning for Sweden in 1974, Celine Dion broke through after lifting the title for Switzerland in 1988, and Italy’s Maneskin became festival headliners following their 2021 victory.
The winning country usually earns the right – and considerable cost – to host the following year.
This is why Austria is staging the event this year after winning Eurovision 2025 with operatic ballad Wasted Love by JJ.
Who is performing for UK at Eurovision 2026?
Flying the flag for the UK this year is Look Mum No Computer, the stage name of musician and inventor Sam Battle, who will perform his synth-pop track Eins, Zwei, Drei.
The Kent-based YouTuber is famous for building brilliantly bizarre homemade musical machines including a Furby organ and a Game Boy synth.
As one of this year’s Big Four, the UK has automatic qualification to Saturday’s Grand Final.
Usually the Big Five includes Spain, but as previously mentioned the nation is boycotting this year.
Look Mum No Computer performed non-competitively at the second semi-final on May 14.
The UK is still chasing its first Eurovision win since Katrina and the Waves stormed Dublin’s Point Theatre with Love Shine A Light all the way back in 1997.
