Bulgaria has claimed its first-ever victory at the Eurovision Song Contest, with pop star Dara winning the 70th edition in Vienna after a nail-biting final that saw Israel finish second.
Performing her high-energy anthem “Bangaranga”, Dara secured a total of 516 points, ahead of Israel’s Noam Bettan, whose song “Michelle” reached 343 points. Romania’s Alexandra Căpitănescu came third.
Hosted at the Wiener Stadthalle by Austrian broadcaster ORF, the anniversary edition brought together 25 finalists and millions of viewers worldwide under the theme “United by Music”, with votes cast from 148 countries across participating nations and the rest of the world.
Bulgaria’s breakthrough moment
Dara’s victory marks a historic milestone for Bulgaria, whose national broadcaster BNT first entered the competition in 2005. It is the country’s first win in the contest’s 70-year history.
“Bangaranga”, written by Anne Judith Stokke Wik, Darina Yotova, Dimitris Kontopoulos and Monoir, topped both the jury and public vote. It is the first time since 2017 that a winning entry has achieved this double success.
With its infectious rhythm and tightly choreographed performance, the song stood out in a highly competitive final. Despite not being among the early favourites, Dara built momentum throughout the evening and ultimately secured one of the largest winning margins in Eurovision history.
Israel leads before final vote
Until the final public vote was announced, it appeared as if Israel’s Noam Bettan was set to win the contest.
Bettan was loudly cheered during his performance of “Michelle”, a rock ballad sung in Hebrew, French and English, although there was also a smattering of boos inside the arena. His entry received strong support across Europe and beyond, with many countries awarding high points.
The final public vote ultimately shifted the result in Bulgaria’s favour, delivering a dramatic conclusion to the night.
Strong performances across the board
Australia’s Delta Goodrem finished fourth with “Eclipse”, while Italy’s Sal Da Vinci placed fifth with “Per Sempre Sì”. Finnish favourites Pete Parkkonen and Linda Lampenius ended up sixth.
The United Kingdom, represented by Sam Battle, finished last after receiving no points from the public vote for the fourth consecutive year.
A politically charged edition
The 2026 contest was also marked by political tensions linked to Israel’s participation. Demonstrations took place in Vienna in the days leading up to the final, with protesters gathering near the venue.
Five countries, Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Iceland and Slovenia, chose to boycott the contest, raising concerns about the event’s political dimension and its potential impact on audiences and funding.
Despite the controversy, organisers emphasised the contest’s role as a global platform for cultural exchange, bringing together millions of viewers around a shared celebration of music.
A landmark anniversary
The 70th edition of Eurovision showcased major advances in live production, including energy-efficient lighting systems and enhanced broadcast technology. Around 11,000 spectators attended the final inside the Wiener Stadthalle, with millions more watching worldwide.
As Eurovision marks seven decades on stage, Bulgaria’s breakthrough victory confirms once again that the contest remains unpredictable, competitive and globally influential.
