Eurovision Song Contest 12th - 16th May 2026

[rcgills]

Thats incredible televote figures, both for the gigantic scale of the Israel win and the fact the UK didnt come last in it.

Would the large numbers of Brits living on the Spanish costas have played a part there? Do people vote patriotically in these things rather than for their genuine favourite? Or was our song last year so bad that not even the patriotic vote could save it (was it that "What the hell just happened" one? Or was that the year before)?

 

[Beanie]

Thats incredible televote figures, both for the gigantic scale of the Israel win and the fact the UK didnt come last in it.

It might be even more amplified this year with the noise around it going to yet another level? No wonder they are favourites to win the televote.

I'm not sure - the Israeli action in Gaza was pretty full on at the time of the contest last year, and their act in 2025 was someone who survived the music festival attack by Hamas in 2023 - so motivation to vote was likely higher last year. Along with the limits on the number of votes per voter, I'd expect a slightly smaller Israeli televote this year (but still plenty strong enough to hoover up multiple 12pts.)

 

[Beanie]

Would the large numbers of Brits living on the Spanish costas have played a part there? Do people vote patriotically in these things rather than for their genuine favourite? Or was our song last year so bad that not even the patriotic vote could save it (was it that "What the hell just happened" one? Or was that the year before)?

That was the one! I think the patriotic vote works somewhat when the entry is strong, but the worse the entry, the less the patriotic vote - and the UK usually has a mediocre entry...

Countries like Greece can usually count on a far more fervent diaspora vote - Eurovision is much more of an 'identity event' for some communities whereas amongst Brits it's still viewed overwhelmingly as a cheesy joke. Countries like Ukraine will have a significantly motivated community who see a vote as supporting a country at war. So the patriotic factor is a big deal in some country's fortunes, just not for us

 

[Jezza]

Or was our song last year so bad that not even the patriotic vote could save it (was it that "What the hell just happened" one?

Yep that was the one, it was awful. On a positive note we were awarded Douze points by a mouse. They also got a massive nothing out of the televote if I remember correctly

I'm not sure - the Israeli action in Gaza was pretty full on at the time of the contest last year, and their act in 2025 was someone who survived the music festival attack by Hamas in 2023 - so motivation to vote was likely higher last year. Along with the limits on the number of votes per voter, I'd expect a slightly smaller Israeli televote this year (but still plenty strong enough to hoover up multiple 12pts.)

Good info as always Beanie thanks. I took some Israel top 5 @ 1.73. I prefer long shots but it was an arb as well at 10am this morning.so I had a dabble.

 

[Jezza]

I'm out of control. Australia Jury vote winners @ 2.88 (unibet). Israel Tele vote winners @ 2.20 (parimatch/talksportbet)

Not based on analysis, as I write you can lay these on betfair @ 2.78 and 2.02 respectively