Ukraine’s Leleka Set to Perform in First Eurovision Semi-Final on May 12

Eurovision 2026 Semi-Final Lineup

According to Главком: The first semi-final of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest will take place on May 12, 2026, in Vienna, Austria. For Ukrainian viewers, the pre-show coverage begins at 21:30, with the semi-final itself starting at 22:00 Kyiv time. The broadcast will be available on Suspilne platforms, including the Suspilne Kultura and Suspilne Eurovision websites, as well as the Suspilne Kultura TV channel.

Hosting the pre-show will be Timur Miroshnychenko. Co-hosts include Svitlana Tarabarova, Alyona Alyona, and Vasyl Baidak. The program will also feature sign language interpreters: Tetiana Zhurkova will handle dialogues, while Anfisa Khudashova, Lada Sokolyuk, and Oleksandr Rudyk will interpret the song performances.

Voting and Participants

This year, 35 countries will compete in the contest. Voting will take place via phone calls, SMS, and online platforms. Each viewer may vote up to 10 times per method. However, voting restrictions apply for Armenia, Austria, Bulgaria, Georgia, and Malta.

The winner of Ukraine’s national selection is Leleka with the song 'Ridnym.' Leleka received 10 points from the jury and 10 points from the public vote, for a total of 20 points. She will represent Ukraine at Eurovision 2026.

The first semi-final broadcast will be available on the Suspilne Kultura TV channel, the Suspilne Kultura and Suspilne Eurovision websites, the Eurovision Ukraine YouTube channel, and the Facebook pages of Suspilne and Eurovision Ukraine. There will also be a radio broadcast on Radio Promin.

Viewers are encouraged to prepare for voting, which is a critical stage of the competition, as their support can significantly influence the semi-final results.

Eurovision is a major event for many countries, especially Ukraine, where the contest traditionally draws strong viewer interest. Leleka’s participation with the song 'Ridnym' could mark a key moment in Ukraine’s continued success at the competition, given the country’s strong track record of high placements. The semi-final format and program are designed to engage the audience actively, underscoring the importance of their support for the performers.

As the anticipation builds for the semi-final on May 12, it's important to note that this year's competition will also feature notable performances in the upcoming final. For those interested in the broader scope of the event, Ruslana, Lordi, and Verka Serduchka are set to make memorable appearances in the anniversary final, celebrating the rich history of Eurovision and its impact on music culture across Europe. Stay tuned for more updates as the event approaches!