Eurovision 2026 Betting Odds

Eurovision Betting

Over the course of the last few years, Eurovision betting has become more popular in the UK. This is despite the UK having a terrible recent record in the competition. Betting on Eurovision is available well in advance of the event taking place. This means that Eurovision superfans - some 200 million people worldwide watch ESC each year - can get ahead of the crowd with their bets.

Placing bets on Eurovision weeks or even months before the competition could result in much better value being available in the odds offered by bookmakers and betting exchanges. While bookies tend to focus on sport, most of them these days have special markets for events such as Eurovision, and these often run almost all year round.

Being early to bet on Eurovision is beneficial as bookmakers may lack information about the songs and entrants that are being lined up. But fans of Eurovision can get access to these details beforehand, giving them a chance to make a profit from betting on Eurovision.

Various markets tend to be available, with more Eurovision Song Contest betting options cropping up as the event nears. Naturally, the most popular market involves betting on the competition's winner. But it is also possible to bet on the semi-finals as part of the qualification process, as well as which country will finish in the top three, five or even 10.

Tips and Strategy When Betting on Eurovision

Betting on Eurovision might feel like something of a lottery given so much depends on the quality of the performances on the night and how audiences respond to the songs. But there are certain trends it is important to note. Ireland has not won Eurovision for a while, but the country has the best performing record at ESC and usually ranks fairly well in the event.

Scandinavian countries have an excellent record in recent years at ESC, while Russia is another country that has done very well in Eurovision over the last few competitions.

Generally, songs that are performed in the English language outperform those in native languages, while the order of the show can have a big impact on the final standings as well. It is widely believed that performing early in the show is a drawback and affects a country's chances of winning, with songs from later in the show staying fresh in the memory when voting opens.

On top of these Eurovision betting tips and strategies, it is always worth shopping around for the best possible odds, just as with any other bet. A couple of minutes of browsing prices can result in a big difference when it comes to the potential profit that is up for grabs. Many bookmakers and betting sites provide bonuses and promotions for the Eurovision Song Contest too.