BBC releases guide to 35 Eurovision songs

Eurovision is back in its usual form — giant hooks, stranger costumes, and songs that sound like they were engineered in different galaxies. But this year’s contest also has a very specific shape. There are only 35 entries, which makes Eurovision 2026 the smallest field since 2003, and the whole thing lands in Vienna with a mix that runs from opera-pop to novelty electronics to openly political subtext. The BBC’s new guide is basically a map for a lineup that is smaller than usual but somehow feels even more chaotic. ### Why is 35 songs a big deal? Because Eurovision usually feels huge by brute force alone. This time, it’s still huge in personality, but not in raw country count. The official Eurovision lineup lists 35 competing entries for the 70th contest, and the BBC notes that’s the most compact competition in more than two decades. That changes the rhythm of the week — fewer songs to get through, but also a stronger sense that every slot matters. (yahoo.com) ### Why is the field smaller? The catch is that this is not just an ordinary down year. Several broadcasters withdrew, and the BBC frames the reduced lineup as the result of a partial boycott over Israel’s presence in the contest. So even a very fun “guide to all the songs” sits on top of a messier reality — Eurovision is still trying to sell collective celebration while parts of its audience and some participating markets are focused on the politics around who is still in the room. (yahoo.com) ### So what kind of songs are actually in it? Pretty much everything. The official list includes Australia’s Delta Goodrem with “Eclipse,” the UK’s LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER with “Eins, Zwei, Drei,” France’s Monroe with “Regarde!,” and San Marino’s SENHIT with “Superstar.” The BBC’s guide leans into that variety — opera runs, anti-work energy, novelty acts, and songs with lyrics or staging choices likely to start arguments. Eurovision always promises range, but this year the range feels especially blunt. (yahoo.com) ### Why do Boy George and Delta Goodrem matter? Because recognizable names change how casual viewers watch. If you only half-follow Eurovision, a familiar artist is an entry point. The BBC flags “an actual Boy George” as part of this year’s cast of characters, while the official lineup also includes globally known performers like Delta Goodrem. That doesn’t guarantee a win — Eurovision loves upsetting expectations — but it does make the contest easier to market beyond the hardcore fan base. (yahoo.com) ### Which songs look like serious contenders? France stands out in the BBC rundown. Monroe, just 17, gets singled out for “Regarde!,” a track built from strings, hard beats and operatic vocals that the guide treats as a likely top-10 threat. That matters because Eurovision winners often create mini-trends, and the BBC points out that the last two champions leaned on operatic technique too. In other words — yes, there may be copycats, but some copycats are still very good. (yahoo.com) ### What does this say about Eurovision right now? Basically, the contest is doing two jobs at once. It is still a very silly, very polished music spectacle, and it is also a proxy battlefield for broader arguments about culture, participation and legitimacy. A smaller roster doesn’t make Eurovision feel smaller. It makes the contradictions easier to see. (yahoo.com) ### When does it all start? The BBC guide says the semi-finals begin in Vienna on Tuesday, and Eurovision’s official site has already published the full 35-song package and artist materials. So the preview phase is over. This is the handoff from “learn the songs” to “watch the staging decide everything.” ### Bottom line? This year’s Eurovision looks compact on paper, but not restrained. (yahoo.com) Fewer countries have made the contest more concentrated — musically, commercially, and politically — and that usually means a louder week, not a quieter one.