The Eurovision Song Contest reaches its grand final in Vienna with pop and protests

The Eurovision Song Contest reaches its grand final in Vienna with pop and protests 1 of 7 | Dean Vuletic, who has been dubbed “Professor Eurovision,” discusses protests against Israel’s participation in the annual song contest. He also gives his opinion on the bookies’ favorite and reveals why big stars usually don’t do well at the event. (May 15) 2 of 7 | Eurovision loves an underdog and this year’s surprise success story is a Greek odyssey. From singing on the streets of Athens to representing his country and his generation at the song contest – Akylas is bubbling with excitement about being in the final. (May 16) 3 of 7 | Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen from Finland perform the song “Liekinheitin” during the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) 4 of 7 | Spectators wait for the start of the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) 5 of 7 | Delta Goodrem from Australia performs the song “Eclipse” during the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) 6 of 7 | Noam Bettan from Israel performs the song “Michelle” during the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) 7 of 7 | Soren Torpegaard Lund from Denmark performs the song “For Vi Gar Hjem” during the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) 1 of 7 Dean Vuletic, who has been dubbed “Professor Eurovision,” discusses protests against Israel’s participation in the annual song contest. He also gives his opinion on the bookies’ favorite and reveals why big stars usually don’t do well at the event. (May 15) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 2 of 7 Eurovision loves an underdog and this year’s surprise success story is a Greek odyssey. From singing on the streets of Athens to representing his country and his generation at the song contest – Akylas is bubbling with excitement about being in the final. (May 16) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 3 of 7 | Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen from Finland perform the song “Liekinheitin” during the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) 3 of 7 Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen from Finland perform the song “Liekinheitin” during the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 4 of 7 | Spectators wait for the start of the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) 4 of 7 Spectators wait for the start of the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 5 of 7 | Delta Goodrem from Australia performs the song “Eclipse” during the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) 5 of 7 Delta Goodrem from Australia performs the song “Eclipse” during the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 6 of 7 | Noam Bettan from Israel performs the song “Michelle” during the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) 6 of 7 Noam Bettan from Israel performs the song “Michelle” during the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 7 of 7 | Soren Torpegaard Lund from Denmark performs the song “For Vi Gar Hjem” during the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) 7 of 7 Soren Torpegaard Lund from Denmark performs the song “For Vi Gar Hjem” during the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] Vienna (AP) — The Eurovision Song Contest reached its sequin-drenched final on Saturday, with tight security and rainy weather failing to dent the enthusiasm of fans, or the opposition of critics who think Israel shouldn’t be invited to the party.After a week’s buildup, acts from 25 countries took the stage at the Wiener Stadthalle arena in Vienna to battle for the continent’s pop crown. Millions of viewers around the world will cast judgment on a fiery Finnish violinist, a Moldovan folk rapper, a Serbian metal band and many more at Eurovision’s 70th anniversary event.The performances are just half of the show. After all the contestants comes the process of casting, tallying and announcing the result of the votes. The campy, colorful contest has been likened to the World Cup with songs instead of soccer. And like global sports, it often becomes entangled in politics. The contest has been clouded for a third year by calls for Israel to be excluded over its conflicts in Gaza and elsewhere, with five longtime participants — Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia — boycotting in protest. Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen from Finland perform the song “Liekinheitin” during the first semifinal of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Tuesday, May 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen from Finland perform the song “Liekinheitin” during the first semifinal of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Tuesday, May 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 4 MIN READ 1 MIN READ 3 MIN READ Eclectic and outrageousThe political tensions have clouded a contest that over the decades has given the world the perfect pop of ABBA’s “Waterloo” and the ageless “Nel blu, dipinto di blu” — better known as “Volare” — along with a host of Euro-pop party anthems.The musicians had just 3 minutes to win over millions of viewers who, along with national juries of music professionals, pick the winner.Jets of flame, glitter guns and wind machines worked overtime in a show that celebrated Europe’s eclectic musical tastes. Serbian metal band Kravina offered hard rock angst, as did Romania’s Alexandra Căpitănescu with the provocatively titled “Choke Me.” Albania’s Alis used a brooding choral sound to pay tribute to mothers on “Nân.” Cypriot contestant Antigoni had the crowd on its feet with dancefloor filer “Jalla,” as did Bulgaria’s Dara with the infectious “Bangaranga.” Silver painted and theatrical, Lithuania’s Lion Ceccah was both arty and soulful. British act Look Mum No Computer’s jokey novelty song “Eins, Zwei, Drei” was followed by Monroe, a soaring soprano from France with “Regarde!”Female solo artists dominated: an empowering power ballad from Germany’s Sarah Engels, gospel-tinged R&B from Poland’s Alicja, ethereal beauty from Ukraine’s Leléka, techno-pop from Sweden’s Felicia. Male soloists were well represented too, by the likes of Aidan from Malta, Denmark’s Søren Torpegaard Lund, rock-edged singer Jonas Lovv from Norway, classic Italian crooner Sal Da Vinci and hometown hero Cosmo, representing Austria with a pleasing retro-techno sound.Australian star Delta Goodrem showed what a diva should be like with her slick midtempo ballad “Eclipse” — and a bravura performance that sees her raised into the air above a glittery piano. A European country would likely host for Australia next year if she wins.Israeli competitor Noam Bettan was loudly cheered, though there was a smattering of boos as he performed “Michelle,” a rock ballad in Hebrew, French and English. Earlier in the week, four people were ejected for trying to disrupt his semifinal performance. Party rap with a political edge was in the house thanks to Moldova and Greece. Rapper Satoshi’s ebullient “Viva, Moldova” was a love letter to Europe from a country moving toward the European Union after decades in Moscow’s orbit. Greek artist Akylas’ song “Ferto,” or “Bring It,” provides a playful take on conspicuous consumption in a country still scarred by the economic wounds of the 2008 financial crisis.Both are likely to score highly with viewers, though national juries, which tend to be more impressed by technical excellence, may be less impressed. Winners are chosen by a mix of votes from the two, translated into points by a system confusing even to Eurovision fans. The act with the most points wins, and their country gets to host the competition next year.Finland is the favorite in betting odds with “Liekinheitin,” or “Flamethrower,” a fiery duet between the singing of pop star Pete Parkkonen and the fiddling of classical violinist Linda Lampenius. But Eurovision often produces surprises. Akylas from Greece performs the song “Ferto” during the dress rehearsal for the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Friday, May 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Akylas from Greece performs the song “Ferto” during the dress rehearsal for the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Friday, May 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share “Eurovision has never really been a contest for big stars. It’s largely been a contest for underdogs,” said Eurovision historian Dean Vuletic. “People like to see the underdog on stage. They like to the artist-in-the-making on stage or an artist from a smaller, poorer country on stage.”Viewers around the world can vote for their favorites during and for a short time after the performances, before the results are tallied. Viewers in participating countries can vote up to 10 times but aren’t allowed to vote for their own country’s act. Viewers in the U.S. and other nonparticipating countries can vote online at www.esc.vote. Protests express opposition to IsraelStreet protests opposing Israel’s inclusion over the conduct of its war against Hamas in Gaza have been smaller in Vienna than at the 2024 contest in Malmo, Sweden and last year’s event in Basel, Switzerland.Hundreds marched near the contest arena before Saturday’s final, some holding placards saying “Block Eurovision.” Pro-Palestinian groups also staged an outdoor concert on Friday under the banner “No stage for genocide.”“Inviting Israel on such a beautiful stage as the Eurovision Song Contest stage is an affront to all the people who believe in humanity, who believe in love and togetherness,” said Congolese-Austrian artist Patrick Bongola, one of the organizers.The five-nation boycott is a revenue and viewership blow to an event that organizers say was watched by 166 million people around the world last year.Still, Eurovision is eyeing expansion, with a spinoff Eurovision Song Contest Asia due to take place in Bangkok in November.Eurovision director Martin Green urged viewers to put politics aside and enjoy the “brilliant, wonderful, heartfelt show.”Vuletic says political controversy is nothing new. The first Eurovision boycott was in 1969 — ironically, by Austria, which refused to send a delegation to Spain under dictator Francisco Franco.“We’ve seen very politicized editions of the contest in the recent past,” Vuletic said. “All of them were very much mired in political controversy, yet Eurovision continues.” Satoshi from Moldova performs the song “Viva, Moldova!” during the dress rehearsal for the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Friday, May 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Satoshi from Moldova performs the song “Viva, Moldova!” during the dress rehearsal for the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Friday, May 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share ___Associated Press writers Hilary Fox and Philipp Jenne in Vienna contributed to this report. Lawless is based in London, covering British politics, diplomacy and culture and top stories from the UK and beyond. She has reported for the AP from two dozen countries on four continents.