Eurovision 2026: Super Early Predictions Put to the Test
Last summer, over 300 readers placed their bets on the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. Now that Bulgaria has officially taken the trophy, we have the final verdict on who guessed right—and who was way off.
Which of the Big 5 Will Rank Highest?56% of respondents correctly predicted Italy would rank highest among the Big 5.
The pre-qualifiers had a mixed showing. Italy secured 5th place, marking the best result of the group. France placed 11th, Germany 23rd, and the United Kingdom finished 25th. Spain did not participate, boycotting over Israel's involvement. Italy was the top pick, scoring 5 points; France earned 3, Germany 2, and the UK 1.
What Will Be the Winner's Path to the Grand Final?Bulgaria competed in the second semi-final, making it the third consecutive year that the winner emerged from that lineup. Respondents who chose the second semi-final earned 5 points.
Will the Winner Sing in Their National or Foreign Language or a Mixture?Bulgaria's winning entry, "Bangaranga," was performed entirely in English—a foreign language. This answer also earned 5 points.
What Slot Number Will the Winner Perform in the Final?Bulgaria took the stage in slot #12. Exact answers netted 5 points, while guesses within 4 slots earned a scaled-down 1 point.
What Will Be the Winning Score?Bulgaria finished with a total of 516 points. Predictions within 30 points of the final score earned 1 point; the exact answer was worth 5.
Who Will Be the Winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026?This was the hardest question of all. No respondent predicted Bulgaria's victory. The scoring was adjusted: Israel (runner-up) earned 4 points, Romania (3rd) earned 3 points, Australia and Italy (4th/5th) earned 2 points, and Finland, Denmark, Moldova, Ukraine, and Greece (6th-10th) each earned 1 point.