Full Breakdown
Eurovision 2026: First Rehearsals Commence in Vienna
5/3/2026, 12:34:29 PM
Core Event – Rehearsals Begin for the 70th Contest
On 2 May 2026 the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) launched the first rehearsals for the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna’s Wiener Stadthalle. Each participating act receives a 40-minute stage slot to run through its performance multiple times. The rehearsals continue on 3 May, covering the second half of Semi-Final One. Delegations submitted detailed staging plans in March; a week of “stand-in” rehearsals preceded the official runs to accommodate last-minute adjustments.
Background – Eurovision Returns to Austria After 2015
The 2026 edition marks the contest’s return to Austria for the first time since the 2015 edition, which was also staged in Vienna. Organisers have highlighted the city’s upgraded venue and logistical capacity as key reasons for the selection.
Debut Nations and Staging Plans – New Countries on Stage
Two separate reports list different sets of debuting countries:
- Source 1 (3 May) lists eight nations making their first appearance: Montenegro (Tamara Živkovic – “Nova zora”), Estonia (Vanilla Ninja – “Too Epic to Be True”), Israel (Noam Bettan – “Michelle”), Belgium (Essyla – “Dancing on the Ice”), Lithuania (Lion Ceecah – “Sólo quiero más”), San Marino (Senhit feat. Boy George – “Superstar”), Poland (Alicja – “Pray”), and Serbia (Lavina – “Kraj mene”).
- Source 2 (2 May) identifies seven debutants: Moldova (Satoshi – “Viva Moldova!”), Sweden (Felicia – “My System”), Croatia (Lelek – “Andromeda”), Greece (Akylas – “Ferto”), Portugal (Bandidos do Cante – “Rosa”), Georgia (Bzikebi – “On Replay”), and Finland (Linda Lampenius & Pete Parkkonen – “Liekinheitin”).
Both sources also note that images from additional countries (e.g., Sweden, Croatia, Greece, Portugal, Georgia, Finland, Moldova) will be released on 3 May.
Rehearsal Format and Media Policy – Limited Visual Access
Unlike prior years, the EBU will not broadcast rehearsal footage. Instead, each act will have three officially approved photographs released to the public. This policy aims to protect artistic concepts while still offering visual insight.
Data Summary – Key Numbers at a Glance
- 70th Eurovision Song Contest
- 40-minute rehearsal slots per act
- 3 approved images per performance (no video)
- Staging plans submitted March 2026
- Reported debut nations: 8 (Source 1) vs 7 (Source 2)
Official Statements – Organisers on Rehearsal Transparency
The contest organisers confirmed that the image-only approach replaces video releases to “maintain the integrity of each entry’s visual presentation while providing fans with a controlled glimpse of the stagecraft.” They also reiterated that all participating delegations have adhered to the March staging-plan deadline.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps – Discrepancies in Debut Country Listings
The two source articles disagree on both the number and identity of debuting countries. Source 1 lists eight debutants, including Montenegro, Estonia, Israel, Belgium, Lithuania, San Marino, Poland, and Serbia, whereas Source 2 lists seven debutants, none of which overlap with Source 1’s list. No clarification from the EBU has been provided, leaving the exact roster of first-time participants unresolved.
What’s Next – Upcoming Rehearsal Milestones
The next rehearsal phase will focus on the full line-up for Semi-Final One, followed by technical rehearsals for the Grand Final. Organisers have scheduled a press briefing later in the week to address the debut-country discrepancy and to outline the final image-release schedule.
