The Eurovision Song Contest reaches its grand final in Vienna with pop and protests

VIENNA (AP) — The final of the Eurovision Song Contest arrives Saturday, with tight security and rainy weather failing to dent the enthusiasm of fans, or the opposition of critics who think Israel shouldn’t be invited to the party.

After a week’s buildup, acts from 25 countries will take to the stage at the Wiener Stadthalle arena in Vienna to battle for the continent’s pop crown. Millions of viewers around the world will cast judgment on a fiery Finnish violinist, a Moldovan folk rapper, a Serbian metal band and many more at Eurovision’s 70th anniversary event.

The campy, colorful contest has been likened to the World Cup with songs instead of soccer. And like global sports, it often becomes entangled in politics. The contest has been clouded for a third year by calls for Israel to be excluded over its conflicts in Gaza and elsewhere, with five longtime participants — Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia — boycotting in protest.

Newcomers looking to grasp the essence of Eurovision and its interplay of pop and politics should look no further than two of the fan favorites to emerge during a week that saw two semifinals ahead of the grand finale.

Rapper Satoshi’s “Viva, Moldova” combines “a stunning high energy performance with a subtle pro-European political message,” from a country moving toward the European Union after decades in Moscow’s orbit, said Eurovision historian Dean Vuletic. Greek artist Akylas’ song “Ferto,” or “Bring It,” provides a playful take on conspicuous consumption in a country still scarred by the economic wounds of the 2008 financial crisis.

Both are likely to score highly with viewers, though national juries, which tend to be more impressed by technical excellence, may be less impressed. Winners are chosen by a mix of votes from the two, translated into points by a system confusing even to Eurovision fans. The act with the most points wins, and their country gets to host the competition next year.

Finland is the favorite in betting odds with “Liekinheitin,” or “Flamethrower,” a fiery duet between the singing of pop star Pete Parkkonen and the fiddling of classical violinist Linda Lampenius.

But Eurovision often produces surprises.

“Eurovision has never really been a contest for big stars. It’s largely been a contest for underdogs,” Vuletic said. “People like to see the underdog on stage. They like to the artist-in-the-making on stage or an artist from a smaller, poorer country on stage.”

A wild card would be a win by Australia, a Eurovision participant since 2015, which has sent established star Delta Goodrem. Her slick midtempo ballad “Eclipse” — and a bravura performance that sees her raised into the air above a glittery piano — has been rising up the betting odds. A European country would likely host for Australia next year if she wins.

Israeli competitor Noam Bettan has been warmly received in the auditorium, though four protesters were ejected after trying to interrupt his performance during Tuesday’s semifinal.

Street protests opposing Israel’s inclusion over the conduct of its war against Hamas in Gaza have been smaller in Vienna than at the 2024 contest in Malmo, Sweden and last year’s event in Basel, Switzerland.

A demonstration against Israel’s participation is planned ahead of Saturday’s final, and pro-Palestinian groups staged an outdoor concert on Friday under the banner “No stage for genocide.”

“Inviting Israel on such a beautiful stage as the Eurovision Song Contest stage is an affront to all the people who believe in humanity, who believe in love and togetherness,” said Congolese-Austrian artist Patrick Bongola, one of the organizers.

The five-nation boycott is a revenue and viewership blow to an event that organizers say was watched by 166 million people around the world last year. This year’s field of 35 contestants is the smallest since 2003.

Still, Eurovision is eyeing expansion, with a spinoff Eurovision Song Contest Asia due to take place in Bangkok in November.

Vuletic says political controversy is nothing new. The first Eurovision boycott was in 1969 — ironically, by Austria, which refused to send a delegation to Spain under dictator Francisco Franco.

“We’ve seen very politicized editions of the contest in the recent past,” Vuletic said, including the 2009 contest in Russia, Azerbaijan’s turn as host in 2012 and the 2024 competition in Sweden, marred by protests and the expulsion of a competitor after a backstage altercation

“All of them were very much mired in political controversy, yet Eurovision continues,” he said.

Eurovision airs at 1900GMT (3.p.m EDT) on national broadcasters in participating countries, on Peacock in the United States and on the Eurovision YouTube channel in many territories.

Viewers in participating countries can vote up to 10 times by phone or text message during and for a short time after the show, but aren’t allowed to vote for their own country’s act. Viewers in the U.S. and other nonparticipating countries can vote online at www.esc.vote.

Hilary Fox and Philipp Jenne in Vienna contributed to this story

Delta Goodrem from Australia performs the song "Eclipse" during the dress rehearsal for the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Friday, May 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Satoshi from Moldova performs the song "Viva, Moldova!" during the dress rehearsal for the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Friday, May 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Akylas from Greece performs the song "Ferto" during the dress rehearsal for the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Friday, May 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen from Finland perform the song "Liekinheitin" during the first semifinal of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Tuesday, May 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Aliona Moon sings "Viva Moldova" during her featured performance with Satoshi from Moldova during the dress rehearsal for the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, Friday, May 15, 2026. CORRECTS PERFORMERS NAME TO ALIONA MOON FROM SATOSHI. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — Celtic won the Scottish Premiership title in dramatic style on Saturday with two late goals to beat rival Hearts 3-1.

Daizen Maeda struck a crucial goal in the 87th minute at Celtic Park to put Celtic on course for the win it needed to be crowned champion for the fifth year in a row.

It was heartbreak for Hearts, which only needed a draw to win the title for the first time since 1960 and had led through Lawrence Shankland's first half header.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Celtic's Benjamin Nygren rues a missed chance, saved by Heart of Midlothian goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow during the Premiership soccer match between Celtic and Heart of Midlothian, in Glasgow, Scotland, Saturday May 16, 2026. (Andrew Milligan//PA via AP)

Celtic fans present a tifo featuring manager Martin O'Neill during the Premiership soccer match between Celtic and Heart of Midlothian, in Glasgow, Scotland, Saturday May 16, 2026. (Andrew Milligan//PA via AP)

Heart of Midlothian's Lawrence Shankland, left, heads the ball to score the opening goal during the Premiership soccer match between Celtic and Heart of Midlothian, in Glasgow, Scotland, Saturday May 16, 2026. (Andrew Milligan//PA via AP)

A young Celtic fan celebrates his side's equalising goal during the Premiership soccer match between Celtic and Heart of Midlothian, in Glasgow, Scotland, Saturday May 16, 2026. (Andrew Milligan//PA via AP)

Celtic's Arne Engels scores from the penalty spot during the Premiership soccer match between Celtic and Heart of Midlothian, in Glasgow, Scotland, Saturday May 16, 2026. (Andrew Milligan//PA via AP)

Heart of Midlothian's Frankie Kent, left, celebrates scoring their first goal of the game during the Scottish Premiership soccer match between Heart of Midlothian and Falkirk, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Andrew Milligan/PA via AP)

Referee John Beaton, center, speaks to Celtic's Kelechi Iheanacho before going to the VAR monitor and awarding a penalty to Celtic during the Scottish Premiership soccer match between Motherwell and Celtic, Wednesday May 13, 2026, in Motherwell, Scotland. (Robert Perry/PA via AP)

A Heart of Midlothian fan waves a large flag ahead the Scottish Premiership soccer match between Heart of Midlothian and Falkirk, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Andrew Milligan/PA via AP)