Weekly Update

Executive summary

It’s Tuesday, 31 March 2026. It is time for another weekly Eurovision update. Céline Dion announced a 10-show return in the Paris area this autumn. Greek legend Marinella has died at 87. France’s Eurovision act Monroe performed “Regarde !” live for the first time. Preparty season adds fresh confirmations in Amsterdam and London. Malta and Romania also have new preparty nights. Eurovision Song Contest Asia is now official. The Grand Final is set for 14 November 2026 in Bangkok. 

🇨🇦 Céline Dion returns to the stage in Paris

Céline Dion has announced a five-week limited engagement in the Paris area. That is especially notable, as she has suffers from Stiff Person Syndrom (SPS) and therefore could hardly perform at all. She will perform 10 nights at Paris La Défense Arena in Nanterre. Eurovision fans also know her as Switzerland’s 1988 winner. The team filmed the announcement video under the lights of the Eiffel Tower. The run starts on Saturday 12 September 2026 and ends on Wednesday 14 October 2026. The ten dates are 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30 September and 3, 7, 10, 14 October 2026.

Ticket sales follow a presale-by-registration system. Fans can register through Fair AXS until 2 April at 19:00 CEST. The artist presale starts on 7 April at 10:00 CEST. Visa runs a presale from 8 April at 10:00 CEST until 9 April at 23:59 CEST. General sale opens on 10 April at 10:00 CEST. The official presale page lists AXS, Ticketmaster and Fnac Spectacles.

🇬🇷 In memoriam: Marinella

Greek singer Marinella has passed away. She died on Saturday 28 March 2026, aged 87. Kathimerini reported that her family said she died at home at 18:00. She had faced health problems after a stroke in September 2024. The stroke happened during a concert at Odeon of Herodes Atticus. The venue is in Athens. 

Eurovision fans will remember Marinella as Greece’s first Eurovision participant. She represented Greece at the Eurovision Song Contest 1974 in Brighton. Her song was “Krassi, Thalassa Ke T’agori Mou”. Greece finished 11th in its debut year. 

🇫🇷 France performs live for the first time

France Télévisions announced its Eurovision act on March 6th. It chose Monroe for France. The song is titled “Regarde !”. TF1 Info reported that Monroe is 17 and was revealed as the winner of Prodiges in 2025. Eurovision’s official site lists Monroe and “Regarde !” among the Vienna participants. 

On 27 March, Monroe performed “Regarde !” live for the first time. The performance took place on C à vous. It was broadcast on France 5. Eurovoix described it as the first live performance of France’s entry. 

Eurovision live shows are scheduled for 12, 14 and 16 May. The contest takes place in Vienna, Austria. France does not compete in the semi-finals. Still, France will perform and vote in the Second Semi-Final. France is already qualified for the Grand Final as part of the “Big 4”. 

Preparty season updates

🇳🇱 Eurovision in Concert takes place on Saturday 11 April 2026. The show is held at AFAS Live in Amsterdam. The organisers recently confirmed LAVINA for the lineup. They also confirmed Akylas. LAVINA will represent Serbia at Eurovision with “Kraj Mene”. Akylas will represent Greece with “Ferto”. Source: Eurovision in Concert

🇬🇧 Vanilla Ninja joins the line-up of the London Eurovision Party. LEP returns on 19 April 2026 at HERE at Outernet. The organisers sell tickets via DICE. Source: London Eurovision Party

🇲🇹 Malta has also announced The Pre-Party – Eurovision Edition for Saturday 25 April 2026. It takes place at Tigullio in St. Julian’s, Malta. Organisers say entry is free, but free tickets are required. The listing states a 17+ age limit. source: Instagram Theprepartymt

🇷🇴 Romania will host Eurovision Pre-Party Bucharest on Saturday 18 April 2026. It is set for Arenele Romane in Bucharest. Emagic says tickets are on sale, and more artist announcements will follow. Emagic also lists TVR as a partner. An Instagram announcement names Paula Seling as a guest. Source: instagram emagic Romania

Eurovision Song Contest Asia announced

Eurovision Song Contest Asia has been officially launched. The European Broadcasting Union is working with Voxovation. It is also partnering with S2O Productions. Thailand’s Channel 3 is the broadcast partner and host broadcaster. The Grand Final is set for Saturday 14 November 2026 in Bangkok. 

Eurovision.com currently lists 10 participating countries and broadcasters for the first edition. More participants are expected to be added later. The current list is shown below. Source: eurovision.com

  Country Broadcaster / partner (as listed)
🇧🇩 Bangladesh NTV
🇧🇹 Bhutan Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS)
🇰🇭 Cambodia TV5 Cambodia
🇱🇦 Laos Vientiane Capital Television (VTE9)
🇲🇾 Malaysia Media Prima (TV3)
🇳🇵 Nepal Himalaya TV
🇵🇭 Philippines ABS-CBN
🇰🇷 South Korea PK Inc (produced by)
🇹🇭 Thailand Channel 3 (Host)
🇻🇳 Vietnam Vietnam Television (VTV3)

 

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May 17, 2026 No Comments
Eurovision 2026
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Bulgaria wins Eurovision 2026 with DARA’s “Bangaranga”

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May 17, 2026 No Comments
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