Eurovision 2026: Rehearsals Day 1 recap and photos

A recap of day 1 of Eurovision 2026 including newly released photos.

The first rehearsals of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna have begun.

All up, seven acts took to the stage for their first run-throughs.

Photo galleries are provided by Eurovision and we have included the highlights to give you a taste of what the performances may look like.

Photos are being released throughout the day... this will be updated as they come in.

Eurovision is providing details of the rehearsals via their official live blog.

All images courtesy of the EBU.

Moldova

Eurovision live bloggers said of the performance:

“If you’ve seen the Selecția Națională performance which won in Moldova, you’ll be well aware of the BIG energy that Satoshi exudes by bouncing enthusiastically around the stage. Well, at the Wiener Stadthalle he’s got even more space to cover, and you can tell he’s absolutely in his element exploring every inch of it. At the start of the performance we even get to see the Moldovan flag beaming out in big lights from behind the screen.

“Satoshi is adorned with rows of chain mail on his shoulders, draped over a blinged-out sports top in royal blue… those chains have extended to his band and his co-performers… with every outfit accented with a touch of shiny metal.

“He’s ensured that this is on full display here, with a cute n’ colourful backdrop that viewers will no doubt find adorable.”

Sweden

Eurovision live bloggers said of the performance:

“Guys, we’re shaking. We’re physically shaking… because those banging synths near the end of the song… are making the arena floor actually vibrate. It’s like a potent current of epic electronica is running underneath us.

“FELICIA is dressed in black and sparkling red, the colours of a Black Widow… her outfit’s had a system upgrade!

“The performance opens with FELICIA getting the wind-machine treatment, parting a cloud of smoke… accompanied by GIANT FELICIA climbing out of the screens and into the audience.

“During the second verse we get to see FIGHTER FELICIA literally battling away lasers with her bare hands, before she tames them into doing her bidding.”

Croatia

Eurovision live bloggers said of the performance:

“There’s just something about being in the presence of the LELEK ladies singing in unison. It changes you.

“Not long into their performance of Andromeda, we get a stunning shot that really makes use of the catwalk leading from the Green Room up to the stage… giving their arrival to the Eurovision stage the majesty it deserves.

“The striking fashion choice returns for Vienna, but this time they’ve woven a deep blood-red colour into their scheme.

“The screen behind them plays a big role in the telling of their story… closing the performance by pulling us through a wormhole at such high speed, it feels like a time warp.”

Greece

Eurovision live bloggers said of the performance:

“We’ve just been taken right inside a video game… This game creates multiple illusions for the viewer.

“Our Greek hero Akylas turns into a tiger on that Wiener Stadthalle stage… dressed stylishly in an orange and black palette.

“Just when the audience thinks they are getting to know Akylas, everything changes. He stops, removes his funky shades, steps out of character and addresses his mother in an emotional display.”

Portugal

Eurovision live bloggers said of the performance:

“It’s like a Wall of Song - if the video game theme from the entry before them had continued into this one, then the Portuguese Wall of Song would be a proper ‘final boss’ moment!

“You can tell that Bandidos do Cante are just as proud to be showcasing their beloved Cante Alentejano genre as the world watches.

“The performance ends with the visuals on the screen behind the band springing into life. This is when Rosa blooms, literally and figuratively speaking.”

Georgia

Images of all other nations to come.

Eurovision live bloggers said of the performance:

“It’s the stuff of dreams. Bzikebi representing Georgia at the grown-up Eurovision Song Contest - and they’re dressed fully in black and yellow.

“They look like they’ve come to us from some decades in the future.

“Meet CYBORG BZIKEBI! They may look intimidating… but they’re here to help our Bzikebi babes. These cyborg overlords are surging the popstars with power.

“The laser show on display here is electrifying.”

Finland

Eurovision live bloggers said of the performance:

“Linda Lampenius stands alone on the deserted stage of what was once an orchestra. Now, it’s been littered with the overturned chairs and sheet-music stands of Linda’s former musician colleagues.

“Linda Lampenius has lightened her colour palette! Her dress… is now a striking silver. It makes her slow descent towards the burning confessional box even more otherworldly to the eye.

“When the camera pans away from her towards the big climax of the song… our heroic violinist races towards the back of the stage to be reunited with her duet partner.

“She’s lifted up onto the abandoned orchestra seating for a final showdown with Pete. It brings him to his knees and the set goes up in flames, destroying all evidence!”

Full rehearsal schedule available here

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