Eurovision 2026 in Austria: Will Ukraine participate?

Ukraine will take part in Eurovision 2026

The upcoming contest will be held in Austria, which is hosting Eurovision for the third time – this time thanks to the victory of performer JJ with the song Wasted Love in Basel in 2025.

Head of the Ukrainian delegation Oksana Skybinska noted that participation in the contest will be another chance for Ukraine to present itself on the European music stage.

"Taking into account the challenges posed by the previous contest, we want to prove that above all Ukraine impresses with great artists who write music of European level, set trends, convey profound meanings, and by their own example proudly demonstrate the high level of creativity that is born in incomparably difficult conditions of war," she said.

Ukraine will take part in Eurovision 2026 (photo: press service)

Skybinska also intrigued the audience by adding that the National Selection for the anniversary contest will feature unexpected innovations.

"We will start telling about it very soon," Oksana added.

Eurovision 2026: What is known

The anniversary 70th Eurovision will take place in Vienna – the final of the contest will be held on May 16, 2026, on the large stage of the Wiener Stadthalle. The semifinals are scheduled for May 12 and 14.

This will be the third time that the Austrian capital hosts Europe's main music event: the first time was in 1967 after the victory of Udo Jürgens, and the second in 2015 after the triumph of Conchita Wurst.

Now, thanks to the success of JJ with the song Wasted Love, Vienna will once again become the center of European music.

At Eurovision 2025, Ukraine was represented by the band Ziferblat with the song Bird of Pray.

The group took 9th place in the final, confirming our country's unbroken tradition – reaching the final with every participation since 2003.

Ukraine still remains the only country that holds such a record in the history of the contest.