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- Israel are 5/1 favourites to win Eurovision 2026, despite growing political controversy.
- Finland (6/1) and Sweden (7/1) follow in the betting, with Ukraine and Italy also among the top contenders.
- Host country Austria will stage the contest in Vienna, following their 2025 win with “Wasted Love”.
Betting Sites Back Israel Despite Political Backlash
Despite multiple countries announcing they will boycott the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest due to Israel’s involvement, UK betting sites continue to install Israel as 5/1 favourites to win the competition.
Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain have confirmed they will not take part in this year’s contest, citing Israel’s involvement in the wake of escalating political tensions.
However, bookmakers still rate their musical entry among the strongest a reminder of Israel’s historic success and ability to appeal to televoters across Europe.
With the event set to take place at Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria, the host broadcaster ORF has confirmed it will not censor audience reaction, including potential booing directed at the Israeli entry, a move that sets the stage for a politically charged evening.
Eurovision 2026 Winner Odds
| Eurovision 2026 Winner | Odds | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Israel | 5/1 | 16.7% |
| Finland | 6/1 | 14.3% |
| Sweden | 7/1 | 12.5% |
| Ukraine | 10/1 | 9.1% |
| Italy | 12/1 | 7.7% |
| France | 16/1 | 5.9% |
Host Austria to Play It Straight But Spectacle Guaranteed
The 70th edition of Eurovision takes place on 16 May 2026, with the two semi-finals scheduled for 12 and 14 May.
It’s the second time in just over a decade that Vienna has hosted the contest and anticipation is already building for what could be a record-breaking broadcast across Europe and beyond.
Austria’s public broadcaster ORF has confirmed that no efforts will be made to censor the live audience’s response which is a departure from some previous contests where negative reactions were muted or avoided during live broadcasts.
Despite the controversy, fans and betting sites remain focused on the musical competition, and history suggests that early odds leaders like Israel, Finland and Sweden often finish high on the scoreboard.
Eurovision Song Contest Betting: Predictions, Tips and Insights for the 2026 Show in Austria
Expert Insight
What the expert says...
Where To Bet on Eurovision 2026
Betting on Eurovision is now live at the top UK betting sites, with enhanced odds, top 5/10 finishers, semi-final qualifiers, and country-specific specials all expected in the run-up to May.
Fans can find the latest promotions and entry markets through our guide to the best entertainment betting sites.
Many operators also offer free bets for new customers which is ideal for Eurovision night.
