The running order for Eurovision 2026 is one of the most analysed aspects of the contest each year, and for good reason. Where a country performs in the show can have a dramatic impact on their chances of winning. With the semi-final running orders set to be revealed on April 2 and the Grand Final order determined by the producers after the semi-finals conclude, here is everything we know so far about who performs when in Vienna.
Why the Running Order Matters at Eurovision
The Eurovision running order is far more than a logistical detail. Decades of contest data show a clear bias toward later performance slots. A staggering 75% of Eurovision winners since the modern voting era began have performed in the second half of the running order. This is no coincidence. Songs performed later in the show benefit from recency bias, where viewers and juries are more likely to remember and vote for acts they have just seen rather than those from the start of the evening.
This effect is particularly pronounced in the Grand Final, where 25 or 26 songs compete across a show lasting over three hours. By the time voting opens, songs from the opening third of the running order can feel like a distant memory. Contest historians often point to specific examples where an early draw effectively killed a frontrunner's chances, while a late slot catapulted an underdog into the top five.
For bettors, the running order announcement is a crucial moment. It can cause significant shifts in the odds at bookmakers like Betfred, as the market adjusts to the perceived advantage or disadvantage of each country's slot. If you see a favoured entry drawn into position 2 or 3, expect their odds to drift. If a strong song lands in position 20 or later, expect the odds to shorten.
Grand Final: Austria Closes the Show in Position 25
The host nation Austria has already been confirmed in position 25 of the Grand Final, closing the show. This is a privilege traditionally given to the host country and it is an extremely strong slot. Performing last means the Austrian entry will be the freshest in the minds of voters when the lines open, and historically, the closing act tends to finish in the top half more often than not.
Austria's position at the end of the Grand Final is significant for the betting market. As the host nation they already benefit from a wave of goodwill and heightened media attention. Couple that with the last performance slot and you have a compelling case for Austria as a value bet. Keep a close eye on the Austrian odds at Betfred in the days following the full running order announcement.
Semi-Final 1: Full Country List
Semi-Final 1 takes place on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna. The following 15 countries will compete for a place in the Grand Final, with the running order to be drawn on April 2:
- Albania - Albania have a strong record in Semi-Finals, qualifying more often than not in recent years. Their slot in Semi-Final 1 rather than 2 could work in their favour depending on the draw.
- Cyprus - A consistent qualifier in recent contests, Cyprus will be looking to translate a good semi-final result into a strong Grand Final showing.
- Estonia - Estonia's entries have varied wildly in quality and reception. Their running order position will be key.
- Finland - Finland has gained momentum in recent contests with more contemporary entries. A late semi-final slot would boost their chances.
- Georgia - Georgia often brings unique and memorable entries that can stand out regardless of position.
- Greece - A traditional Eurovision powerhouse. Greece rarely fails to qualify and a favourable draw would only strengthen their position.
- Croatia - After their incredible run in recent years, Croatia are expected to qualify comfortably.
- Israel - Israel's participation always generates significant public interest, which tends to boost televoting numbers.
- Lithuania - Lithuania has a mixed qualifying record and will need a strong performance regardless of their slot.
- Moldova - Moldova's fun and energetic entries tend to perform well in televoting, making them a likely qualifier from any position.
- Montenegro - Montenegro has struggled to qualify in recent years and will need every advantage, including a favourable running order draw.
- Poland - Poland has become a consistent qualifier with strong televoting support.
- Portugal - The 2017 winners always bring something artistic and unique. Portugal's style can suit a quieter moment in the running order.
- Serbia - Serbia has a loyal voting base in the region and usually qualifies with room to spare.
- San Marino - The microstate often struggles to qualify but occasionally produces a surprise result.
Germany and Italy, as members of the Big Five plus the host nation arrangement, do not compete in Semi-Final 1 but will participate in the voting. This is worth noting because the jury and televote results from Germany and Italy could influence which songs from this semi-final make it through. Germany and Italy voting in Semi-Final 1 means their voting patterns and preferences for certain musical styles could provide a small boost to entries that align with Central and Southern European tastes.
Semi-Final 2: Full Country List
Semi-Final 2 takes place on Thursday, May 14, 2026. The following 15 countries will compete, again with the running order drawn on April 2:
- Armenia - Armenia brings a passionate fanbase and often delivers powerful vocal performances.
- Australia - Australia's participation continues to add an international flavour. They have qualified for every Grand Final bar one since joining.
- Azerbaijan - A consistent top-half finisher, Azerbaijan tends to send polished and competitive entries.
- Belgium - Belgium has an excellent recent track record and should qualify comfortably.
- Bulgaria - Bulgaria's entries have ranged from top-five contenders to non-qualifiers. The running order could make the difference.
- Czechia - Czechia has transformed from a Eurovision also-ran into a genuine contender in recent years.
- Denmark - Denmark's entries often have broad Scandinavian appeal and benefit from regional voting patterns.
- Luxembourg - Having returned to the contest recently, Luxembourg is still re-establishing their Eurovision identity.
- Latvia - Latvia has found it difficult to qualify in recent years and will be hoping for a favourable draw.
- Malta - Malta punches above their weight at Eurovision and usually qualifies from the semi-final.
- Norway - Norway is a perennial favourite with strong Scandinavian and diaspora support.
- Romania - Romania has a loyal televoting base and rarely fails to qualify.
- Sweden - The most successful Eurovision country of the modern era. Sweden's entry will be one of the most anticipated of the night.
- Switzerland - As the 2024 winners, Switzerland carry momentum and heightened expectations.
- Ukraine - Ukraine's entries consistently generate massive televoting support and they are near-certain qualifiers.
Austria, France, and the United Kingdom will vote in Semi-Final 2 but do not compete. The UK and France voting here is noteworthy as both countries have strong opinions and their jury votes could swing borderline qualifiers in or out. The French jury in particular tends to reward artistic and francophone-leaning entries, which could benefit Luxembourg or Belgium.
How the Running Order Affects Betting Odds
Once the full running order is announced on April 2, expect to see significant movement in the betting markets at Betfred and other bookmakers. Here are the key patterns to watch for:
Opening slots (positions 1-3) are generally considered the worst. Only a handful of winners have ever come from the opening three positions in the modern contest. If a strong entry is drawn here, their odds will likely drift, creating potential value for shrewd bettors who believe the song is strong enough to overcome the disadvantage.
Mid-show slots (positions 8-15) are considered neutral. Songs here need to be memorable enough to stick in the mind through the rest of the show, but they avoid the stigma of an early draw.
Late slots (positions 18-25) are the golden zone. The vast majority of winners come from this range. If your favoured entry lands here, it is a strong positive signal. The Betfred odds will reflect this almost immediately after the draw.
There is also a "death slot" theory around positions 2 and 12 that contest fans have debated for years. Position 2 is widely considered the worst in the entire show, while position 12 can get lost in the middle of the running order when attention is at its lowest.
Key Dates for Eurovision 2026
Mark these dates in your calendar if you are following the Eurovision 2026 running order and betting markets:
- April 2, 2026 - Semi-Final running order draw and allocation. This is when we find out the exact position of every country in Semi-Finals 1 and 2.
- May 12, 2026 - Semi-Final 1 live from the Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna.
- May 14, 2026 - Semi-Final 2 live from the Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna.
- May 16, 2026 - Grand Final live from the Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna. Running order determined by producers after the semi-finals.
The Grand Final running order is not drawn randomly. Instead, the show's producers arrange the 25 finalists in an order designed to create the best television show possible. This means they consider musical variety, tempo, staging requirements, and dramatic flow. Strong entries are often placed in the second half to build toward a climactic finish.
Historical Running Order Winners
To put the running order's importance into context, here is a look at where recent winners performed. In 2024, Switzerland's Nemo performed in position 18 of 25 and won convincingly. In 2023, Sweden's Loreen performed in position 11, a relatively early slot, but her star power and one of the strongest songs in years overcame the disadvantage. In 2022, Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra performed in position 12 and won with massive televoting support, although the geopolitical context was a significant factor.
The lesson for bettors is clear. While the running order is an important factor, it is not the only one. A truly exceptional song can win from almost any position. However, all other things being equal, a later slot gives a meaningful statistical advantage. When you are placing your bets at Betfred, use the running order as one piece of the puzzle alongside song quality, rehearsal reports, and jury appeal.
What to Watch for on April 2
When the semi-final running order is drawn on April 2, here are the specific things to look for before adjusting your bets:
Which strong entries get early slots? If a fancied entry from either semi-final is drawn into positions 1 through 4, consider whether the odds offer value as they drift. Which borderline qualifiers get a late slot boost? A song that might not qualify from position 3 could sail through from position 14. Are there any scheduling clashes? The semi-final running order determines the flow of the evening and a cluster of similar-sounding songs can hurt all of them.
Stay tuned to EurovisionOdds.org for full analysis once the running order is officially confirmed, and make sure to check the latest odds at Betfred to find the best value bets ahead of the contest.
18+. Please gamble responsibly. BeGambleAware.org