The first evening dress rehearsal of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 is complete. After the glitter and pyrotechnics wore off, the Eurovision 2026 Audience Poll team asked members of the audience who their favourite act of the night was. This resulted in a resounding victory for Moldova’s Satoshi, receiving over a quarter of the votes for ‘Viva Moldova!’. (28.2%)

The Eurovision 2026 Audience Poll – SF1

This year we bring you fourth edition of the Eurovision Audience Poll, run by a collective of six fan media platforms (ESC Insight, 12 Points From America, ESCXTRA, ESC Gabe, Merci Cherie Podcast and That Eurovision Site). Although the winner was not too shocking, it was the dominant manner of the poll victory over the established bookies favourites.

Following Moldova, of course it was the two rival leading contenders for the crystal microphone. Behind Moldova by a distance was Finland with 432 votes, (15.7%). Rounding out the podium was the expected televote magnate Greece with 327 votes, (11.9%).

Below the top three, it is proving to be a hotly contested battle for the remaining top ten spots. As shown when one looks at the chances bookmakers give each act to qualify. In a surprising turn of events, Lithuania, who are seen as a safe qualifier in the current odds, only placed fourteenth, (1.1%). Another interesting result in the evening is Poland. Leaning towards borderline qualification in the live odds, the live audience chose Poland as their go-to ballad to rally behind. A strong showing, placing fourth, (10.1).

Also showing the struggle pollsters and bookmakers are having this year, Senhit’s latest Eurovision comeback for San Marino saw the audience members place her and Boy George 9th in the poll with 83 votes, (3.0%). Meanwhile the odds rate San Marino as a certain non-qualifier. Likewise, Estonia placed tenth (2.1%) just six votes ahead of Belgium, while also being seen as unlikely to get over the qualification line.

Elsewhere in the top ten, Sweden (7.8%), Croatia (5.1%), Serbia (4.7%) and Israel (4.8%) were safe qualifiers with the audience at Monday night’s dress rehearsal. At the bottom of the scoreboard, we see Belgium (1.9%), Montenegro (1.7%), Portugal (1.5%), Lithuania (1.1%) and Georgia (0.9%), with Bzikebi receiving just 24 votes.

Analysis of the Eurovision Audience Poll results

Compared to previous expectations from bookmakers, fans and the ESCXTRA.com Press Poll, there are some surprising conclusions. Across both the Press Poll and the Audience Poll there is a wild variation in the rankings. Although each of them do share the same eight acts in their respective top 10s.

However, one thing the polls can agree on is the uphill battle Georgia faces. Being a small nation with a limited diaspora is already a disadvantage. Combine that with an unfavourable running order position, after many high energy performances, it is then unsurprising it finished last in both polls.

During the previous editions of the Audience Poll we learned of its power to predict the televote magnates and surprise success stories of the year. In Liverpool, it was clear from the second Audience Poll that Belgium’s, ‘Because of You’ had strong televote potential. So it proved, with Gustaph’s eventual seventh place in the Grand Final. Two years ago, Ireland recaptured their Eurovision glory days of the 1990s. Bambie Thug became the surprise hit of the Malmö audience polls. They placed sixth place in the Malmö Grand Final. Last year it was the turn of Tommy Cash to engage the audiences of Basel before his eventual third place finish.

🇲🇩 Viva Moldova!

So we say ‘Welcome to Moldova!’ As the returning nation to the Eurovision family gets the strongest of receptions from the voting audience members. Being one of the strongest opening acts to a Semi-Final, with eye-catching staging worked in Moldova’s favour to stay in people’s minds long after the show had ended. Many people when asked, simply responded, “The first one.” Which is something to think about when it comes to Moldova’s position in the Grand Final.

Over-achieving compared to odds expectations is Poland. It is unusual for a ballad to place as high as fourth in a poll typically dominated by the party anthems that rouse an audience. This result is indicative of the old Eurovision proverb that, ‘locals go for vocals’. A lot people just stated the country name of their favourite act and moved along. Not for Poland. Many wanted to add further comment. “Her vocals were so good!” “She’s a great singer!”

One country doing less well than anticipated beforehand is Lithuania. Adrift of the audience poll top ten in fourteenth place. There are numerous reasons for this. Mainly, it is a performance heavily reliant on the camera feed and the audience at home being able to connect with Lion Ceccah’s striking performance and emotion. Not something the arena audience would be able to engage with as easily. Also it is not uncommon for the acts reliant on their diaspora vote to struggle in the Audience Poll.

Also surprising is the good result for San Marino. Senhit’s, ‘Superstar’ has been seen as an unlikely qualifier to the Grand Final with bookmakers for a while now, yet find themselves in ninth place in the Audience Poll. Could San Marino defy the odds? Or is it good faith towards Senhit from more loyalist fans that tend to attend the evening preview shows? Maybe the guest appearance and ‘superstar’ power of Boy George who still has a considerable following? Quite a few of the respondents were of an advanced age compared to the other acts receiving good will from audience members of all ages.

The Eurovision Audience Poll returns on Wednesday

The first Semi-FInal of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will take place tonight at 20:00 BST. Fifteen acts will battle for ten tickets to the Grand Final on Saturday. Make sure you tune in to find out who will make it through.

On Wednesday, the Eurovision 2026 Audience Poll will return for its second outing. Our team will once again hit the streets of Vienna to ask the audience about their favourites after watching the second dress rehearsal of the second Semi-Final. Members of ESC Insight, 12 Points From America, ESCXTRA, ESC Gabe, Merci Cherie Podcast and That Eurovision Site will join forces to reveal the results of the Vienna public!

Do you agree with the results of the Audience Poll for SF1? Let us know! Keep track of the latest news by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra.bsky.social on Bluesky, @escxtra on Instagram, @escxtra on TikTok, subscribing to YouTube and liking our Facebook page! Also, follow us on Spotify for the latest music from your favourite Eurovision acts.

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