Weekly Update

2026

🇷🇴 Romania: TVR Responds to “Choke Me” Controversy

Romanian broadcaster TVR has defended Alexandra Căpitănescu’s Eurovision entry “Choke Me” in a statement to German news agency DPA. TVR stated that the title is intended as a metaphor, and that the broadcaster is committed to artistic freedom, EBU values and the spirit of the Eurovision Song Contest.

TVR added that the artistic concept of the stage show is designed specifically to highlight the metaphorical nature of the message and to rule out any literal interpretation of the lyrics. The controversy attracted attention from the United Kingdom in particular, where legislation on certain categories of content is currently under discussion. Alexandra Căpitănescu has stated that the lyrics should not be interpreted literally, arguing that art should not be subject to censorship as long as no one is harmed. TVR confirmed the meaning of the song will be explained publicly by the artist during the staging of the performance in Vienna. source: TVRinfo

Opening and Interval Acts Revealed for Vienna 2026

Austrian broadcaster ORF has unveiled the opening and interval acts for all three live shows.

The first Semi-Final on May 12 kicks off with “70 Years of Love”, a film following a love story set against the history of the Eurovision Song Contest. A choir of 70 singers then takes the stage to pay tribute to “L’amour Est Bleu”, the song that competed at Eurovision 1967 when Vienna last hosted the contest. The interval act, titled “Kangaroo”, plays on the long-running mix-up between Austria and Australia. Hosts Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski perform the act together with Go-Jo, who flew the flag for Australia at Eurovision 2025.

The second Semi-Final on May 14 opens with the hosts performing last year’s winning song “Wasted Love” — though not everything goes to plan. JJ then steps onto the stage during the interval act to debut a brand-new song.

The Grand Final opens with JJ performing “The Queen of the Night”, blending Mozart with his own music. More than 40 dancers and performers will accompany him, while the 25 finalists enter the Wiener Stadthalle. During the voting period, three interval acts will take place. “Celebration!” will feature Eurovision Allstars Verka Serduchka, Erika Vikman, Lordi and Il Volo performing songs from the contest’s history. Parov Stelar will follow with his electro-swing sound. Finally, César Sampson will perform a version of Billy Joel’s “Vienna” before the results are announced. source: eurovision.com

Meet Auri: The Official Mascot of Vienna 2026

Auri (he/him) has been unveiled by broadcaster ORF as the official mascot of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest. Auri is a symbol of unity, creativity and the power of shared experiences. As a Vienna 2026 ambassador, he will be welcoming delegations and fans from around the world, conveying openness, respect and the joy of togetherness.

📷 EBU/ORF

A special children’s book, “Auri – The Show of His Life”, has been published and will be available across Austria from March 20. The book is aimed at children aged 7 to 12 and tells the story of Auri’s journey to the Eurovision stage. It was written by ORF presenter Yvonne Lacina-Blaha and illustrated by Styrian artist Herwig Holzmann. ESCToday.com Auri replaces Lumo, the mascot of Eurovision 2025 in Basel, exactly one year after Lumo was introduced. Exclusively for Eurovision 2026, Auri has also been released as a 3D figure in a limited-edition Viennese snow globe, produced in cooperation with the Original Viennese Snow Globe Manufactory. Only 1,000 handcrafted and individually numbered pieces are available. ESCToday.com source: eurovision.com

Pre-Party Season

Nordic Eurovision Party 2026 (Oslo) – Overview

The third Nordic Eurovision Party took place last Saturday at Rockefeller Music Hall in Oslo. An array of Eurovision 2026 participants performed alongside artists from Melodi Grand Prix, Sami Grand Prix and the Eurovision Song Contest. eurovoix

The 2026 acts performing on the night included:

Albania – Alis

Australia – Delta Goodrem

Austria – Cosmó

Bulgaria – DARA

Cyprus – Antigoni

Germany – Sarah Engels

Greece – Akilas

Latvia – Atvara

Lithuania – Lion Ceccah

Luxembourg – Eva Marija

Malta – AIDAN

Moldova – Satoshi

Montenegro – Tamara Živković

Norway – Jonas Lovv

Romania – Alexandra Căpitănescu

Switzerland – Veronica Fusaro

The event also featured Eurovision alumni including Poli Genova, Elisabeth Andreassen of Bobbysocks, Sunstroke Project, and Jørgen Olsen of Olsen Brothers fame. © video’s Wiwibloggs

London Eurovision Party 2026 – Line-Up So Far

The London Eurovision Party returns for its 17th edition at Here at Outernet. Doors open at 6pm, and performances run until 11:40pm. There is an after party following until 1:30am.

A large group of 2026 acts will take the stage on the night. The confirmed performers so far include Finland’s Linda Lampenius & Pete Parkkonen, Denmark’s Søren Torpegaard Lund, Ukraine’s Leléka and Lithuania’s Lion Ceccah. Also performing are Moldova’s Satoshi, Montenegro’s Tamara, Malta’s AIDAN, Bulgaria’s DARA and Luxembourg’s Eva Marija. The line-up continues with Belgium’s Essyla, Latvia’s Atvara, Austria’s Cosmó, Switzerland’s Veronica Fusaro and Croatia’s Lelek. Norway’s Jonas Lovv, Romania’s Alexandra Căpitănescu, Greece’s Akylas, Germany’s Sarah Engels, San Marino’s Senhit and Sweden’s Felicia round out the current list of 2026 acts.

The evening also features some well-known Eurovision guests. Aliona Moon, who represented Moldova in 2013 joins the bill. Sissal, Tia Kofi and César Sampson host the evening together. More acts are still to come. source: London Eurovision Party

Eurovision in Concert 2026 – Line-Up So Far

Eurovision in Concert 2026 will take place on April 11 at AFAS Live in Amsterdam. The confirmed acts so far include Finland, Denmark, Ukraine, Albania, Moldova, Luxembourg, Belgium, Montenegro, Croatia, Georgia, Lithuania, Norway, Austria, Sweden, France, Germany, Italy, San Marino, Romania, Czechia, Azerbaijan, Latvia, Australia and Poland. Guest performer Delta Goodrem from Australia has also been confirmed for the event. More names are expected to be added in the coming weeks. source: Eurovision in Concert

Find Everything About Eurovision 2026 on Eurovision Universe

Good news for those who love to dig deeper into Eurovision songs. Eurovision Universe has now completed the Behind the Lyrics section for Eurovision 2026. Every single entry competing in Vienna gets its own dedicated page, where we explore the meaning, background and story behind each song.

Whether you are curious about a metaphor hidden in a lyric, want to understand a song written in a language you do not speak, or simply want to know what an artist was thinking when they wrote their entry, Behind the Lyrics has you covered. The section covers all 35 competing songs, from the upbeat and playful to the deeply personal.

Looking for the running order? It’s on our 2026 page. Want to read up on a specific country’s entry, check the semi-final allocation, or find out who performs when? You will find it all without having to search across multiple websites.

Our team updates the page regularly as new information comes in. With the contest now less than two months away, this is the perfect time to get up to speed. Bookmark the page and return as rehearsals, postcards and show details roll in throughout April and May. Eurovision Universe serves as your one-stop destination for everything Vienna 2026.

Martijn

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Eurovision 2026

Weekly Update

It’s Tuesday, March 17, 2026, which means it’s time for another weekly Eurovision update! Over the past week, the final wave of song reveals for Eurovision 2026 generated plenty of buzz both on and off the stage. Four more countries unveiled their entries, completing the Vienna line-up. Meanwhile, controversies erupted around a few artists and songs. Preparations also ramped up as EuroClub tickets went on sale and pre-party announcements rolled out. The Heads of Delegation met in Vienna to finalize plans. The betting odds also shifted as new favorites emerged. Here are this week’s top stories: New Eurovision Entries Confirmed 🇨🇭 Switzerland Switzerland has revealed its entry for Eurovision 2026: Veronica Fusaro will perform the song “Alice”. The track is an intense alternative pop ballad with rock influences. It tells the story of a woman whose personal boundaries are gradually crossed under the guise of affection. Fusaro was internally selected by Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR. “Alice” is a revamped version of a song from her 2025 album, updated in collaboration with producer Charlie McClean. 🇦🇲 Armenia Armenia completed this year’s Eurovision roster by announcing SIMÓN as its representative with the song “Paloma Rumba”. The entry delivers a “rebellious anthem” about breaking free from a suffocating 9-to-5 routine. Its title literally translates to “Dove’s Dance” and symbolizes a joyful dance of freedom. Lilit Navasardyan (LI’LITH) composed “Paloma Rumba”. David Tserunyan, Eva Voskanyan, and Rosa Linn (Armenia’s 2022 representative) wrote the lyrics. SIMÓN earned the selection after finishing as the runner-up in Armenia’s national final. 🇨🇿 Czechia Czech Television (ČT) confirmed 23-year-old Daniel Zizka as the Czech representative for Eurovision 2026 with his song “CROSSROADS”. During the artist reveal on March 8, the broadcaster highlighted his soulful voice and authentic style. Daniel impressed the selection team by performing his song flawlessly in the studio on his first attempt. He premiered “CROSSROADS” on March 11, completing Czechia’s line-up for Eurovision 2026. 🇬🇪 Georgia Georgia unveiled its entry “On Replay”, which trio Bzikebi will perform. Bzikebi famously won Junior Eurovision 2008 as children. Now the three members return to the Eurovision stage as adults. Giga Kukhianidze composed “On Replay”, while Lizi Japaridze wrote the lyrics. The song closed the release schedule for the 70th contest. Georgia will present “On Replay” in the first semi-final on May 12. 2026 🇸🇪 Sweden: Felicia’s Israel Comment Draws EBU Reminder Sweden’s Eurovision representative, Felicia, sparked controversy by stating that Israel “should not be allowed to compete” in Eurovision 2026. The European Broadcasting Union responded by contacting SVT and Felicia to reiterate the contest’s rules against political statements. SVT held a meeting with Felicia following the incident. The broadcaster confirmed that she has been clearly reminded of Eurovision’s guidelines forbidding political advocacy. The EBU also stressed that all contestants must respect the event’s neutrality and keep the focus on music. source: SVT 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan: Broadcaster Denies AI Rumors Around Entry Azerbaijan’s broadcaster İctimai officially dismissed rumors that its Eurovision entry “Just Go” by JIVA was created using artificial intelligence. Speculation had spread online after fans noted that the song’s composer, Fuad Javadov, used AI tools in some previous projects. In a public statement, İctimai clarified that “Just Go” is an original work “created through a professional process.” The broadcaster stated that allegations of AI involvement “do not correspond to reality”. They also noted the increased involvement of local songwriters this year, with 107 of 186 submissions written by Azerbaijani creators. The selection committee chose JIVA for her strong live vocals. This aligned with Azerbaijan’s focus on vocal quality, especially now that juries have returned for the semi-finals. source: Instagram İctimai 🇷🇴 Romania: Entry “Choke Me” Faces Backlash Romania’s Eurovision entry “Choke Me” by Alexandra Căpitănescu has come under fire from anti-violence campaigners. Critics argue that the song’s lyrics – which repeat the phrase “choke me” – glamorize sexual strangulation. Campaigners have called the entry “dangerous” and “reckless” for young audiences. Many people have urged the EBU to disqualify the song or demand a lyric change. So far, no official action has been taken. Alexandra has defended her song. She explains that the vivid “choking” imagery is a metaphor for feeling overwhelmed by emotions and self-doubt, not a literal call for violence. source: Romania Insider EuroClub 2026 Tickets Now on Sale EuroClub – the official afterparty venue during Eurovision week – is coming to Vienna, and tickets are now on sale. Nightly EuroClub events will run from May 11 through May 16 at the Prater DOME in Vienna, giving fans and delegations a place to celebrate after each show. Early-bird tickets cost around €28 for OGAE fan club members and about €37 for non-members. These discounted prices are only available until March 14. The EuroClub will feature different themed nights and guest DJs. It is open to all fans aged 18 and over. With the Eurovision party atmosphere returning, many attendees are already snapping up EuroClub passes to dance into the early hours during contest week. source: Instagram Euroclub Heads of Delegation Meeting Held in Vienna The Heads of Delegation meeting for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 took place today in Vienna. Representatives from all 35 participating countries gathered on March 17. This was one week after the deadline for each broadcaster to submit their song, staging plans and other materials for the contest. During the meeting, each delegation handed over its final entry and performance plans to the EBU and host broadcaster ORF. This annual summit allows producers to review all plans, ensure rules are being followed, and begin working on the show’s running order. Now that the Heads of Delegation meeting is complete, preparations move into the next phase. In the coming weeks, ORF will focus on postcard filming, stage design work and other production tasks as the road to Vienna continues. source: Eurovoix Update: A draw decided that Austria will perform in 25th position in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest. Betting Odds Update With all 35 songs now revealed, the betting markets are

March 17, 2026 No Comments

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Weekly Update

It’s Tuesday, March 24, 2026, which means it’s time for another weekly Eurovision update! This past week was packed with news from Vienna. ORF revealed the opening and interval acts. The official mascot Auri was introduced to the world. Romanian broadcaster TVR defended its entry “Choke Me” in response to international criticism. Pre-party season also kicked off in earnest, with the Nordic Eurovision Party taking place last Saturday in Oslo. Here are this week’s top stories. 2026 🇷🇴 Romania: TVR Responds to “Choke Me” Controversy Romanian broadcaster TVR has defended Alexandra Căpitănescu’s Eurovision entry “Choke Me” in a statement to German news agency DPA. TVR stated that the title is intended as a metaphor, and that the broadcaster is committed to artistic freedom, EBU values and the spirit of the Eurovision Song Contest. TVR added that the artistic concept of the stage show is designed specifically to highlight the metaphorical nature of the message and to rule out any literal interpretation of the lyrics. The controversy attracted attention from the United Kingdom in particular, where legislation on certain categories of content is currently under discussion. Alexandra Căpitănescu has stated that the lyrics should not be interpreted literally, arguing that art should not be subject to censorship as long as no one is harmed. TVR confirmed the meaning of the song will be explained publicly by the artist during the staging of the performance in Vienna. source: TVRinfo Opening and Interval Acts Revealed for Vienna 2026 Austrian broadcaster ORF has unveiled the opening and interval acts for all three live shows. The first Semi-Final on May 12 kicks off with “70 Years of Love”, a film following a love story set against the history of the Eurovision Song Contest. A choir of 70 singers then takes the stage to pay tribute to “L’amour Est Bleu”, the song that competed at Eurovision 1967 when Vienna last hosted the contest. The interval act, titled “Kangaroo”, plays on the long-running mix-up between Austria and Australia. Hosts Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski perform the act together with Go-Jo, who flew the flag for Australia at Eurovision 2025. The second Semi-Final on May 14 opens with the hosts performing last year’s winning song “Wasted Love” — though not everything goes to plan. JJ then steps onto the stage during the interval act to debut a brand-new song. The Grand Final opens with JJ performing “The Queen of the Night”, blending Mozart with his own music. More than 40 dancers and performers will accompany him, while the 25 finalists enter the Wiener Stadthalle. During the voting period, three interval acts will take place. “Celebration!” will feature Eurovision Allstars Verka Serduchka, Erika Vikman, Lordi and Il Volo performing songs from the contest’s history. Parov Stelar will follow with his electro-swing sound. Finally, César Sampson will perform a version of Billy Joel’s “Vienna” before the results are announced. source: eurovision.com Meet Auri: The Official Mascot of Vienna 2026 Auri (he/him) has been unveiled by broadcaster ORF as the official mascot of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest. Auri is a symbol of unity, creativity and the power of shared experiences. As a Vienna 2026 ambassador, he will be welcoming delegations and fans from around the world, conveying openness, respect and the joy of togetherness. 📷 EBU/ORF A special children’s book, “Auri – The Show of His Life”, has been published and will be available across Austria from March 20. The book is aimed at children aged 7 to 12 and tells the story of Auri’s journey to the Eurovision stage. It was written by ORF presenter Yvonne Lacina-Blaha and illustrated by Styrian artist Herwig Holzmann. ESCToday.com Auri replaces Lumo, the mascot of Eurovision 2025 in Basel, exactly one year after Lumo was introduced. Exclusively for Eurovision 2026, Auri has also been released as a 3D figure in a limited-edition Viennese snow globe, produced in cooperation with the Original Viennese Snow Globe Manufactory. Only 1,000 handcrafted and individually numbered pieces are available. ESCToday.com source: eurovision.com Pre-Party Season Nordic Eurovision Party 2026 (Oslo) – Overview The third Nordic Eurovision Party took place last Saturday at Rockefeller Music Hall in Oslo. An array of Eurovision 2026 participants performed alongside artists from Melodi Grand Prix, Sami Grand Prix and the Eurovision Song Contest. eurovoix The 2026 acts performing on the night included: Albania – Alis Australia – Delta Goodrem Austria – Cosmó Bulgaria – DARA Cyprus – Antigoni Germany – Sarah Engels Greece – Akilas Latvia – Atvara Lithuania – Lion Ceccah Luxembourg – Eva Marija Malta – AIDAN Moldova – Satoshi Montenegro – Tamara Živković Norway – Jonas Lovv Romania – Alexandra Căpitănescu Switzerland – Veronica Fusaro The event also featured Eurovision alumni including Poli Genova, Elisabeth Andreassen of Bobbysocks, Sunstroke Project, and Jørgen Olsen of Olsen Brothers fame. © video’s Wiwibloggs London Eurovision Party 2026 – Line-Up So Far The London Eurovision Party returns for its 17th edition at Here at Outernet. Doors open at 6pm, and performances run until 11:40pm. There is an after party following until 1:30am. A large group of 2026 acts will take the stage on the night. The confirmed performers so far include Finland’s Linda Lampenius & Pete Parkkonen, Denmark’s Søren Torpegaard Lund, Ukraine’s Leléka and Lithuania’s Lion Ceccah. Also performing are Moldova’s Satoshi, Montenegro’s Tamara, Malta’s AIDAN, Bulgaria’s DARA and Luxembourg’s Eva Marija. The line-up continues with Belgium’s Essyla, Latvia’s Atvara, Austria’s Cosmó, Switzerland’s Veronica Fusaro and Croatia’s Lelek. Norway’s Jonas Lovv, Romania’s Alexandra Căpitănescu, Greece’s Akylas, Germany’s Sarah Engels, San Marino’s Senhit and Sweden’s Felicia round out the current list of 2026 acts. The evening also features some well-known Eurovision guests. Aliona Moon, who represented Moldova in 2013 joins the bill. Sissal, Tia Kofi and César Sampson host the evening together. More acts are still to come. source: London Eurovision Party Eurovision in Concert 2026 – Line-Up So Far Eurovision in Concert 2026 will take place on April 11 at AFAS Live in Amsterdam. The confirmed acts so far include Finland, Denmark, Ukraine,

March 24, 2026 No Comments