Eurovision sets Grand Final running order for 25 finalists

The European Broadcasting Union and host broadcaster ORF set the running order for Eurovision’s 2026 Grand Final in the early hours of Friday after the second semi-final, fixing the sequence for the 25 acts due to perform in Vienna on Saturday night. The final starts at 21:00 CEST on May 16 at Wiener Stadthalle, with Denmark opening the show and host country Austria closing it, according to Eurovision’s official guide. Vienna police and city officials also put in place tightened security for the final and for public-viewing events across the city, as authorities prepared for demonstrations linked to Israel’s participation. Austrian police said the federal police, ORF and the City of Vienna were jointly managing the event’s security architecture, while the city said final-day entry rules at the Eurovision Village would include a strict no-bag policy. (eurovision.com) ### Which countries are in Saturday’s final, and in what order will they perform? Eurovision’s official Grand Final guide listed the 25 finalists in this order: Denmark, Germany, Israel, Belgium, Albania, Greece, Ukraine, Australia, Serbia, Malta, Czechia, Bulgaria, Croatia, United Kingdom, France, Moldova, Finland, Poland, Lithuania, Sweden, Cyprus, Italy, Norway, Romania and Austria. The running order was decided after Thursday’s second semi-final, Eurovision said. (polizei.gv.at) ORF said 25 countries would compete in the Grand Final, with Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom and host Austria pre-qualified. The broadcaster said the order was set by ORF and the EBU using editorial criteria after the second semi-final. ### Where does Israel perform, and why has that drawn extra attention? Israel’s entrant Noam Bettan is scheduled to perform third with the song “Michelle,” according to Eurovision’s official Grand Final lineup. (eurovision.com) That places Israel near the start of the show, between Germany and Belgium. Vienna police said they had built a broad security plan around Eurovision 2026 and were using social media and official channels for real-time public information. (tv.orf.at) The police website says questions about demonstrations are part of its published Eurovision security FAQ, while a Vienna police press page lists orders and traffic restrictions tied to the contest from May 10 onward. (eurovision.com) ### What security measures are in force around the venues? The City of Vienna said the Eurovision Village at Rathausplatz is under video surveillance and staffed by security personnel and police. The city said all visitors must pass entry checks, bags must be opened for inspection, and the square and adjoining park are sealed off with access only through marked entrances. (polizei.gv.at) For May 16, the city said a stricter rule applies: no bags, backpacks or other containers are allowed at the Eurovision Village on final day, except transparent items up to A6 size. Vienna also said the rules were designed to speed admission checks and increase security. ### How can viewers outside the competing countries watch and vote? Eurovision said viewers in non-participating countries can watch the Grand Final on the official Eurovision YouTube channel, and U.S. viewers can also watch on Peacock. (eurovision.wien.gv.at) The official Eurovision site said the live shows are on YouTube for eligible regions and named Peacock as the U.S. outlet. The contest’s voting page said “Rest of the World” voting for the Grand Final opens online at about midnight before the show, pauses when the live broadcast begins, then reopens just before the first song and stays open until around 40 minutes after the last competing performance. Eurovision said viewers can vote up to 10 times through esc.vote, depending on location. (eurovision.com) ### What happens next in Vienna after the running order is set? ORF said the Grand Final is broadcast live from Wiener Stadthalle at 21:00 CEST on Saturday, May 16, after an afternoon preview show earlier in the day. The broadcaster also said Eurovision Village events continue through the weekend, with a May 17 aftershow featuring a replay of the Grand Final on the site’s screens. (tv.orf.at) (eurovision.com)