Eurovision 2026 Grand Final
Held on May 17 at Vienna's Wiener Stadthalle, the grand final of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest saw 25 acts compete for the top prize. Ukraine finished in ninth place with a total of 221 points—167 from the public vote and 53 from the national juries. The country was represented by Leleka, who performed the song "Ridnym" alongside bandurist Yaroslav Dzhus.
The competition aired overnight from May 16 to 17. Ukraine secured 167 points from the televote, which lifted it to a strong ninth-place finish. However, the national jury ranked the country 15th, awarding only 53 points.
Leleka's Performance
Leleka advanced to the final from the second semi-final, where she placed second among the qualifiers. Her semi-final performance received the most likes on the official Eurovision YouTube channel, and she topped the audience preference rankings with 52,400 thumbs-up.
Here is how other countries voted for Ukraine:
- Switzerland – 12 points
- Azerbaijan – 10 points
- Poland – 1 point
- Portugal – 3 points
- France – 6 points
- Italy, the United Kingdom, and Latvia – 7 points each
- Romania – 1 point
Ukraine's performance at Eurovision 2026 highlighted strong viewer engagement, even though the jury scores were less favorable.
This year's contest once again demonstrated the high level of international support for Ukrainian music. Despite mixed jury evaluations, the popularity of "Ridnym" and the flood of positive audience reactions underscored the powerful emotional connection the song created. Leleka's semi-final success and her ability to shine a spotlight on Ukrainian culture reaffirm the value of such platforms for showcasing national art. Additionally, the voting results offer valuable insights for refining future performances.
Leleka's impressive journey through the Eurovision 2026 competition has captivated audiences, especially during the second round of rehearsals, where her performance left a lasting impact. This success not only highlights her artistic talent but also emphasizes the significance of such events in promoting Ukrainian culture on an international stage.