In this post, we preview the Eurovision semi-final odds for the first Eurovision semi-final on Wednesday night, along with the chances of each of the betting favourites.
Eurovision Semi-Final (2) Info
Date: 14 May 2026
Time: 9 pm CEST
Venue: Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna, Austria
Hosts: Victoria Swarovski, Michael Ostrowski, and Emily Busvine (Green Room)
Channel: RTÉ 2 and BBC Two
There will be 15 countries participating in Semi-Final 2 (determined by draw). The best 10 countries from Semi-Final 2 will qualify for the Grand Final.
Voting: Televoting from participating countries + Online voting ("Rest of the world") and national juries, each awarding 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 12 points.
The pre-qualified countries Austria, France and the United Kingdom will perform (but not compete) and vote in Semi-Final 2, as the Big 4 and host nation are automatically qualified for the Saturday Night Grand Final. Note: Ireland have not entered Eurovision 2026, having withdrawn in protest at Israel's inclusion.
Running Order – Semi-Final 2
1. Bulgaria – Bangaranga by DARA
2. Azerbaijan – Just Go by JIVA
3. Romania – Choke Me by Alexandra Căpitănescu
4. Luxembourg – Mother Nature by Eva Marija
5. Czechia – CROSSROADS by Daniel Zizka
[France perform here – non-competing guest: Monroe – Regarde !]
6. Armenia – Paloma Rumba by SIMÓN
7. Switzerland – Alice by Veronica Fusaro
8. Cyprus – JALLA by Antigoni
[Austria perform here – non-competing guest: COSMÓ – Tanzschein]
9. Latvia – Ēnā by Atvara
10. Denmark – Før Vi Går Hjem by Søren Torpegaard Lund
11. Australia – Eclipse by Delta Goodrem
12. Ukraine – Ridnym by LELÉKA
[United Kingdom perform here – non-competing guest: LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER – Eins, Zwei, Drei]
13. Albania – Nân by Alis
14. Malta – Bella by AIDAN
15. Norway – YA YA YA by JONAS LOVV
Semi-Final (2) Favourites
Eurovision Betting Semi-Final (2) Favourites
Australia
Australia – Favourites to Win Semi-Final 2
Semi-Final 2 Win Odds: 13/8 Overall Contest Win Odds: 7/1
Top favourite for Semi-Final 2 is Australia, represented by Delta Goodrem with the song "Eclipse". Unlike Semi-Final 1, where Finland dominated, this is a far more open market. Australia carry a 95% probability of qualifying for the Grand Final in the betting.
Delta Goodrem is a globally recognised artist with strong credibility among industry professionals, which is reflected in her being the current favourite in the jury vote market.
Australia have participated in the Eurovision Song Contest since their debut in 2015, qualifying for the Grand Final on all but two occasions – failing to qualify in 2021 and 2024.
Denmark
Denmark – Second Favourites
Semi-Final 2 Win Odds: 15/8 Overall Contest Win Odds: 7/1
Second favourite for Semi-Final 2 is Denmark, represented by Søren Torpegaard Lund with the song "Før Vi Går Hjem". Denmark carry a 94% probability of qualifying for the Grand Final.
Their entry is considered well-produced and jury-friendly, a profile that tends to hold up across the full vote. Denmark have won the Eurovision Song Contest three times, most recently in 2013 with Emmelie de Forest and the song "Only Teardrops", and have a strong history of top-ten finishes.
Ukraine
Ukraine – Third Favourites
Semi-Final 2 Win Odds: 4/1 Overall Contest Win Odds: 40/1
Third favourite for Semi-Final 2 is Ukraine, represented by LELÉKA with the song "Ridnym". Ukraine carry a 91% probability of qualifying for the Grand Final.
Ukraine have a proud Eurovision history, winning the contest three times – in 2004, 2016, and most recently in 2022 with Kalush Orchestra and "Stefania".
Romania
Romania – Fourth Favourites
Semi-Final 2 Win Odds: 7/1 Overall Contest Win Odds: 28/1
Fourth favourite for Semi-Final 2 is Romania, represented by Alexandra Căpitănescu with the song "Choke Me".
Romania carry a 90% probability of qualifying for the Grand Final and are considered the best-placed challenger from outside the leading trio. Romania are returning to Eurovision 2026 after a two-year absence.
Each Way Bet
Malta – Each-Way Interest @ 20/1
Semi-Final 1 Win Odds: 33/1 Overall Contest Win Odds: 80/1
Malta is represented by AIDAN with the song "Bella" and have been climbing the betting markets steadily.
Malta have never won the Eurovision Song Contest but have a strong record of qualifying from semi-finals and finishing well in the Grand Final. They are considered a solid each-way option and are expected to progress to Saturday's final.
To Qualify
Norway – Qualification
To Qualify Odds: 1/3
Norway are represented by JONAS LOVV with the song "YA YA YA" and are placed towards the bottom of the Semi-Final 2 qualification betting.
However, Norway have a strong Eurovision pedigree; they won the contest in 2009 with Alexander Rybak and "Fairytale", which at the time set the record for the highest points total in contest history with 387 points (a record later broken by Ukraine's Jamala in 2016).
They will be hoping to spring a surprise and book their place in Saturday's final.
*Prices are subject to fluctuation.
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Bill is as passionate about Irish football as they come, with an agonising longing to see his country grace a World Cup stage. A League of Ireland devotee and lifelong Man United fan, he knows better than most what sporting heartbreak feels like, and brings that perspective to the BOYLE Sports Blog. With roots in greyhound racing and a curiosity spanning politics, snooker, WWE and beyond, there is rarely a sporting conversation he cannot add to.
