Swiss-Italian artist Veronica Fusaro to represent Switzerland at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna

Swiss-Italian singer Veronica Fusaro will represent Switzerland at the 70th Eurovision Song Contest, to be held in May 2026 in Vienna. The artist from Thun will perform the song titled Alice, selected by the Swiss public broadcaster to compete for the Grand Prix. The event will be organized in Austria thanks to the victory of vocalist JJ, who triumphed in 2025 with the song Wasted Love. Wiener Stadthalle will host delegations from 35 countries, although this year's edition is causing political controversy. Austria last hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in 2015, also in Vienna, following Conchita Wurst's victory. This year's 70th edition of the contest coincides with a period of strong international tensions, which directly impact the list of participants. Previous jubilee editions, like the 50th anniversary in Copenhagen, focused on celebrating the history of European song.

The contest song Alice is a rock ballad that addresses the difficult topic of violence against women. Veronica Fusaro, in her media statements, has reflected on the responsibility that comes with tackling such an important social issue on an international stage. The song was presented to the public on March 11, 2026, gaining attention for its serious message and style that differs from typical pop productions. „Kann ich diesem Thema gerecht werden?” (Can I do justice to this topic?) — Veronica Fusaro via watson.ch

The event schedule includes two semi-finals, to be held on May 12 and 14, and the grand final scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2026. According to BBC information, 35 countries will take part in the contest, but this list is reduced by countries that have decided to boycott. Five delegations – from Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain – have officially withdrawn from performing in Vienna in protest against allowing Israel's delegation to compete. Eurovision 2026 Schedule: 12 May 2026 — First Semi-Final; 14 May 2026 — Second Semi-Final; 16 May 2026 — Grand Final

The hosts of the jubilee edition will be Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski, who will host the three live concerts. The choice of Vienna as the host city was confirmed after Austria's success the previous year, bringing the contest back to the country after an eleven-year break. Despite political tensions and the boycott by some countries, the organizers are continuing preparations for the May performances, focusing on logistics at the Wiener Stadthalle. Countries Boycotting the 2026 Edition: 1. Iceland (Protest against Israel's participation); 2. Ireland (Protest against Israel's participation); 3. Netherlands (Protest against Israel's participation); 4. Slovenia (Protest against Israel's participation); 5. Spain (Protest against Israel's participation)