Finland are the favourites to win the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna on Saturday, May 16 – with the UK entrant Look Mum No Computer rated a 150/1 chance for glory.
Bookmakers SkyBet feel the Finns are leading the way to win the quirky contest, and they are available at 11/10, followed by second favourites Greece and Denmark (11/2).
The UK have not fared well in recent years – so have gone down a different route this year, sending Look Mum No Computer to Vienna with his catchy song ‘Eins, Zwei, Drei’.
Tik Tok sensation Sam Ryder went close in 2022 when the contest was staged in Turin, Italy – where his song ‘Space Man’ came second to Ukraine, winning 466 points.
That was the best result for the UK since 1998.
What is the Eurovision Song Contest?
The Eurovision Song Contest has grown from a modest post-war television experiment into one of the world’s most watched entertainment events, attracting millions of viewers every year.
First staged in 1956 by the European Broadcasting Union, the competition was designed to unite countries through music and live broadcasting following the devastation of World War Two.
Today, Eurovision is known as much for its flamboyant performances and dramatic voting as it is for the songs themselves.
How Eurovision works
Each participating nation submits an original song performed live on stage, with countries competing for votes from both the public and professional juries across Europe and beyond.
The contest is typically split into two semi-finals and a grand final, although some countries automatically qualify for the final.
Those include the so-called “Big Five” – United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Spain – alongside the host nation.
The winner earns the right to host the competition the following year.
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From ABBA to Måneskin
Eurovision has launched the careers of several internationally successful artists.
Swedish pop group ABBA achieved global fame after winning the contest in 1974 with ‘Waterloo’, while Celine Dion won for Switzerland in 1988 before becoming one of the world’s best-selling artists.
More recently, Italian rock band Måneskin enjoyed international chart success following their Eurovision victory in 2021.
The UK’s mixed fortunes
The United Kingdom has a long but inconsistent history in the competition.
Britain has won Eurovision five times, with previous winners including Sandie Shaw, Bucks Fizz and Katrina and the Waves.
However, the UK has struggled to replicate that success in recent years, often finishing near the bottom of the scoreboard. Sam Ryder went close recently but lost out to Ukraine.
More than just Europe
Despite its name, Eurovision is no longer limited to European countries.
Australia joined the contest as a guest entrant before becoming a regular participant due to the competition’s popularity there.
Eligibility is based on membership of the European Broadcasting Union rather than geography alone.
A cultural institution
Eurovision has evolved into a major cultural event with a large international fanbase and strong support within LGBTQ+ communities.
The competition is also known for producing memorable viral moments, elaborate staging and occasionally controversial voting outcomes.
While critics sometimes dismiss it as overly theatrical, supporters argue that Eurovision’s mix of music, spectacle and national pride is precisely what has helped it endure for nearly 70 years.
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John Christopher Aquino 
Newsjustnews writers 
Rosemarie Zamora