Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Bulgaria Wins Eurovision 2026 as Israel Takes Second

Boycotts over Israel with stricter voting rules set the tone this year.

Overview

  • The official scoreboard Saturday in Vienna confirmed Bulgaria’s first win with 516 points, ahead of Israel on 343 and Romania on 296.
  • The United Kingdom finished 25th with one point after receiving zero from the public vote for a fourth straight year.
  • Five broadcasters — Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands, Spain and Slovenia — boycotted Israel’s participation, and hundreds joined Vienna protests including the No Stage For Genocide rally.
  • The EBU tightened voting by halving some televote allowances and reinstating juries in the semi‑finals, and it formally warned Israel’s broadcaster Kan for urging fans to “vote 10 times.”
  • Bulgaria will host next year’s contest after Dara’s Bangaranga topped a 25‑act final at Vienna’s Wiener Stadthalle.