Eurovision 2026: Finland even money favourites to win in Vienna

Who is the favourite to win Eurovision 2026?

Finland are the favourites to win Eurovision 2026 at 1/12.00.

If they are successful it would be the first victory for the Finns since heavy metal band Lordi triumphed with "Hard Rock Hallelujah" in 2007.

Finland have mixed record at Eurovision, winning only once in their history and finishing last 10 times - a record they hold jointly with Norway.

Why are Finland Eurovision fancies?

So what's so good about Finland's entry "Liekinheitin" by Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen? It's dramatic and soaring and has the kind of strings that sweep you up and prove rousing at the Grand Final. But judge for yourself...

The duo are among Finland's leading musicians, with 56-year-old Linda's classical solo album making her one of the country's best-selling classical artists, during a genre-spanning career that has also included pop music.

Pete, who is 20 years younger than his bandmate, has had a number one album in Finland, competed on the country's version of pop idol, finishing third, and won Finland's Dancing with the Stars, so he knows how to work a competition.

Will that be enough to justify favouritism in Vienna? Finland expects and, at such a short price, Linda and Pete are under pressure to deliver.

Who are other contenders to win Eurovision 2026?

Greece 6/17.00 are next in the Betfair Sportsbook winner market, followed by Denmark 13/27.50.

Beyond the top three in the market, the betting indicates that we could see the Eurovision going far from Europe.

France are 12/113.00 and Australia are 14/115.00 to win for the first time in their history. Eurovision is popular Down Under and the Aussies were first invited to take part in 2015.

Eleven years on from their debut, could Australia be contenders for Eurovision 2026? Could it be Sydney 2027?

Last year, winners Austria were among the fancied nations before the final, so their victory was a reminder that it can pay to look at the market for indications about who will win. 

Betting on Eurovision 2026 - it's about more than the winner

There is more to Eurovision on Betfair than betting on the winner.

On the Betfair Exchange there is an enormous range of markets which allow you to bet on the outcomes of the semi-finals and who will qualify for the final.

You can back countries to finish in the top three over all, as well as punting on who will be top Balkan, Baltic, and Nordic country. The latter should be a competitive one with seven-time winners, and home of Abba, Sweden involved. 

And this is just a sample of some of the markets available - there are plenty more that are ideal for in-play betting on Grand Final night.

The Betfair Sportsbook also offers plenty of betting markets - ideal if you fancy an each-way wager or a multiple. Click here for the full range.

We will have more Eurovision previews, and some betting tips, on Betting.Betfair in the build-up to Vienna.

Bookmark our Eurovision blog for more previews and news