Semi‑Final Rules
A complete overview of the rules that govern the Eurovision semi‑finals under the updated 2026 system.
1. Purpose of the Semi‑Finals
The semi‑finals determine which countries earn a place in the Grand Final.
With around 37–40 participating nations each year, the semi‑finals ensure a fair and competitive selection.
Only 10 countries from each semi‑final qualify for the Grand Final.
2. Allocation Draw
Before rehearsals begin, all semi‑final countries are placed into pots based on historical voting patterns.
This reduces bloc voting and ensures a balanced distribution of countries across the two shows.
The Allocation Draw determines:
• Which semi‑final each country competes in
• Whether they perform in the first or second half of the show
3. Running Order
The running order is created by the show’s producers, not drawn randomly.
This allows the semi‑final to have a dynamic flow, avoiding similar songs appearing consecutively.
Producers aim to:
• Maintain variety
• Balance genres
• Enhance the viewer experience
4. Voting System (2026 Update)
From 2023 to 2025, the semi‑finals were decided exclusively by the public.
In 2026, the EBU reinstated the jury vote to restore balance and reduce unpredictability.
The semi‑final results are now based on:
• 50% Jury Vote – from a 7‑member professional jury
• 50% Televote – from the public
Both rankings are combined to determine the final semi‑final ranking.
5. Qualification Reveal Format (2026)
Since 2026, Eurovision uses a new reveal format designed for maximum suspense.
The 10 qualifiers are announced as follows:
• The hosts reveal 3 countries at a time
• From those 3, only 1 qualifies
• This continues until 9 qualifiers have been announced
• The 10th qualifier is chosen from all remaining countries
Important notes:
• The reveal order is completely random
• It does NOT reflect the actual ranking
• The final reveal is often the most dramatic moment of the semi‑final
6. Who Votes in the Semi‑Finals?
In each semi‑final, the following groups vote:
• All countries performing in that semi‑final
• Pre‑allocated members of the Big 5
• The Host Country
These countries vote using both jury and televote under the 2026 system.
7. Disqualification and Withdrawals
A country may be disqualified if:
• The song violates EBU rules
• The broadcaster fails to meet deadlines
• The performance breaches staging or safety regulations
Withdrawals are rare but can occur due to financial or political circumstances.