The Eurovision Song Contest has always been about more than just the competing songs. The interval acts and opening ceremonies have become legendary in their own right, from Riverdance in 1994 to some of the most ambitious live entertainment productions ever staged. Eurovision 2026 in Vienna is set to deliver once again with a stunning lineup of interval acts and a Grand Final opening that promises to be one of the most visually spectacular in the contest's history.
Grand Final Opening: "The Queen of the Night"
The Grand Final opening act has been titled "The Queen of the Night" and it promises to be an extraordinary fusion of classical Vienna and modern spectacle. The performance will be led by JJ, who will take to the stage accompanied by more than 40 dancers and acrobats in what is being described as a breathtaking theatrical production.
The concept draws heavily on Vienna's rich musical heritage, incorporating Mozart elements that pay tribute to the city's status as the historical capital of classical music. The Queen of the Night is, of course, one of the most iconic characters in opera, from Mozart's The Magic Flute. The production team has taken this reference and reimagined it for a Eurovision audience of hundreds of millions.
One of the most intriguing visual elements will be a paper boat that travels from the Rhine to the Danube, symbolising the journey of music and culture across Europe. This poetic image ties together the contest's pan-European identity with Vienna's position on the Danube, one of Europe's great waterways. The production design reportedly uses a combination of physical props, projection mapping, and choreographed movement to bring this journey to life on the Wiener Stadthalle stage.
Adding a layer of orchestral grandeur, the ORF Radio Symphony Orchestra will provide the musical foundation for the opening. This is a significant production choice. While Eurovision is often associated with pop, dance, and rock music, the decision to feature a full symphony orchestra in the opening underscores Vienna's classical heritage and sets a tone of artistic ambition for the entire evening.
For viewers watching from home and for bettors checking the latest odds at Betfred before the competition begins, the opening act serves an important psychological function. It sets the mood of the evening and primes the audience for the spectacle to come. A strong, emotionally resonant opening can elevate the entire show and put voters in a generous, celebratory mood.
Interval Act 1: "Celebration!" Eurovision Allstars
The first interval act during the Grand Final has been announced as "Celebration!", featuring a group of Eurovision Allstars that reads like a greatest hits of contest history. This is the segment that Eurovision superfans have been waiting for. The confirmed performers are:
Lordi (Finland 2006)
When Lordi took to the stage in Athens in 2006 dressed in full monster costumes and performing "Hard Rock Hallelujah", they changed Eurovision forever. Their victory proved that the contest could embrace heavy rock and theatrical spectacle, and the image of lead singer Mr Lordi holding the trophy in his monster mask remains one of the most iconic moments in Eurovision history. Lordi won with 292 points, a record at the time, and their victory is credited with sparking Finland's renewed enthusiasm for the contest.
Twenty years on from their victory, Lordi's return to the Eurovision stage in Vienna will be a massive moment. Their performance style is built for arenas and their stage presence is unmatched in contest history. Expect pyrotechnics, theatrics, and a crowd reaction that will shake the Wiener Stadthalle to its foundations.
Verka Serduchka (Ukraine 2007)
Verka Serduchka is perhaps the most beloved Eurovision performer of all time. The drag persona created by Ukrainian comedian Andriy Danylko finished second in Helsinki in 2007 with "Dancing Lasha Tumbai", a song that has become the unofficial anthem of Eurovision fandom. The performance featured the iconic silver star headpiece, mirrored costumes, and an infectious energy that had the entire arena on their feet.
Verka's return to Eurovision in 2026 is particularly meaningful given the ongoing significance of Ukrainian cultural representation on the European stage. As a symbol of joy, creativity, and resilience, Verka Serduchka's presence in the interval act transcends entertainment. The audience reaction to this performance will likely be one of the emotional high points of the entire evening.
Il Volo (Italy 2015)
Il Volo, the Italian operatic pop trio, won Eurovision 2015 in Vienna with "Grande Amore". Their return to the same city and the same venue where they triumphed eleven years ago adds a wonderful layer of narrative symmetry to the evening. Il Volo's powerful vocal harmonies brought a touch of classic Italian romance to Eurovision, and their victory was celebrated as a return to musical craftsmanship in a contest that had been trending toward uptempo dance numbers.
Having Il Volo perform in the interval act also connects beautifully with the orchestral and classical themes of the Grand Final opening. Their style bridges the gap between Vienna's classical heritage and Eurovision's pop sensibility, making them the perfect act for this celebration.
Erika Vikman (Finland 2025)
Erika Vikman represents the most recent addition to the Eurovision Allstars lineup, having competed for Finland in 2025. Vikman brings a contemporary energy to the lineup and her inclusion alongside legends like Lordi and Verka Serduchka signals the contest's ability to create new stars alongside celebrating its heritage. Her performance style is bold, modern, and perfectly suited to the arena environment of the Wiener Stadthalle.
The combination of these four acts in a single interval performance is extraordinary. Spanning nearly twenty years of contest history and representing Finland, Ukraine, Italy, and Finland again, the "Celebration!" segment will be a love letter to everything that makes Eurovision unique.
Interval Act 2: Parov Stelar
The second interval act features Parov Stelar, the Austrian musician and producer who is widely credited as the pioneer of the electro-swing genre. Born Marcus Fuereder in Linz, Austria, Parov Stelar has built a global following by fusing 1920s and 1930s swing, jazz, and big band sounds with modern electronic production, creating a sound that is both nostalgic and futuristic.
Parov Stelar's selection as an interval act is inspired. As an Austrian artist, he represents the host nation's contemporary music scene, but his sound has universal appeal. Tracks like "Booty Swing", "Catgroove", and "The Sun" have accumulated hundreds of millions of streams, and his live shows are legendary for their energy, featuring a full band with brass, vocals, and Parov Stelar himself on turntables and production.
The electro-swing genre is inherently theatrical and danceable, making it a perfect fit for the Eurovision interval slot. Where the Eurovision Allstars segment celebrates the contest's past, Parov Stelar's set will bring a distinctly Austrian flavour to the evening while keeping the energy high between the competition and the voting sequence.
For the audience in the Wiener Stadthalle, Parov Stelar's set will be an opportunity to dance in their seats and on their feet during the interval. For the television audience of over 150 million, it will be a showcase of Austrian culture that goes far beyond the stereotypes of classical music and coffee houses. Parov Stelar represents a modern, innovative, and internationally successful Austria.
Historical Context: The Greatest Eurovision Interval Acts
Eurovision interval acts have a rich and sometimes unexpected history. The most famous of all is undoubtedly Riverdance, which debuted as the interval act at Eurovision 1994 in Dublin. What was intended as a seven-minute showcase of Irish dance became a global phenomenon, spawning a touring show that has been seen by over 25 million people worldwide. Riverdance demonstrated the power of the Eurovision interval slot to launch entirely new cultural movements.
Other memorable interval acts include Cirque du Soleil's performance at Eurovision 2009 in Moscow, the dramatic flag parade innovations in recent years, and various host country cultural showcases that have ranged from the sublime to the surreal. The 2015 contest in Vienna, which Eurovision 2026 returns to, featured an interval act by Austrian artist Conchita Wurst, the 2014 winner, performing with the Vienna Philharmonic.
The tradition of using the interval to showcase the host country's culture while entertaining a global audience is one of Eurovision's most enduring features. Vienna 2026's lineup of JJ's theatrical opening, the Eurovision Allstars, and Parov Stelar's electro-swing represents one of the strongest interval lineups in contest history.
What This Means for the Viewing Experience and Betting
The quality and energy of the interval acts can subtly influence the viewing experience and, by extension, voter behaviour. A high-energy interval that keeps the audience engaged means viewers are more likely to stay tuned for the entire voting sequence and cast their votes while still buzzing from the entertainment. This tends to benefit entries that left a strong emotional impression during the competition.
For bettors watching along with their Betfred accounts at the ready, the interval period is also a crucial time for live betting. The odds often shift during the show based on perceived performance quality, audience reactions, and social media buzz. The interval gives you time to assess the evening so far and make informed decisions before the voting results are revealed.
The confirmed lineup for Eurovision 2026 suggests that ORF (the Austrian broadcaster) is going all out to deliver a memorable show. With Lordi, Verka Serduchka, Il Volo, Erika Vikman, and Parov Stelar all confirmed, this could be the most star-studded interval lineup the contest has ever produced.
Stay tuned to EurovisionOdds.org for all the latest updates on the Eurovision 2026 show production and check Betfred for the latest betting odds on the contest winner, qualifying countries, and all special markets.
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