The first day of rehearsals for Eurovision 2026 has just begun.
Taking the stage today will be the counties that will perform in the first half of semi-final 1:
This year, the rehearsal format will be different. Therefore, images might be available later on.
However, the ESBEAT team will do its best to supply all the required information and coverage.
This article will be updated throughout the day, so keep refreshing and visit us all day
Photos credits are reserved for Corrine Cumming and the EBU
Day 1: Saturday, May 2nd 2026
First Rehearsal Batch 1 (Semi-final 1, First half without automatic qualifiers)
| Country | Rehearsal Time (CET) |
| Moldova | 10:30 – 11:00 |
| Sweden | 11:10 – 11:40 |
| Croatia | 11:50 – 12:20 |
| Greece | 12:45 – 13:15 |
| Portugal | 13:25 – 13:55 |
| Georgie | 15:00 – 15:30 |
| Finland | 15:40 – 16:10 |
1.🇲🇩 Moldova: Satoshi – Viva, Moldova
- The performance resembles the one from the national selection, but exploits the stage size.
- Satoshi is accompanied by 2 backing dancers/singers. One of them is Aliona Moon.
- Satoshi is wearing a royal blue sports top, and he is adorned with rows of chain mail on his shoulders. The shirt also has some white elements and the “373” print.
- Those chains are extended to his backing dancers/singers.
- The customs are highlighted by a touch of shiny metal.
- In the middle of the performance, we can see the Moldovan flag beaming out in big lights from behind the LED screen.
- The general performance is uplifting, full of energy, bouncy, and jumpy.
- The background is colorful, full of shapes, and some may say Japanese aesthetics inspires it.
2. 🇸🇪 Sweden: FELICIA – My System
- FELICIA is dressed in black and sparkling red, accompanied by male backing dancers. Her outfit has been upgraded compared to the “Melodifestivalen 2026” final.
- As always, her face is covered by a mask.
- The performance starts with wind machine effects, alongside a cloud of smoke.
- The general concept of the staging remained quite similar to the one we’ve seen in “Melodifestivalen 2026“. The red lasers are still an integral part of the performance.
- The video effects on the backdrop will present FELICIA’s character climbing out of the screens and into the audience.
- During the second verse, we have a hand routine, which looks like she is fighting the lasers and is trying to defeat them with her bare hands. Later on, the lasers are synced with her movements, framing her in a bolder way.
- Towards the end, she switched her mask with another one.
- The performance is energetic, electrifying, and interactive.
3.🇭🇷 Croatia: LELEK – ANDROMEDA
- The band members are wearing a robe ensemble, combining pure white and deep blood-red colors in their costumes. As in “Dora”, their faces are covered with a unique symbolic makeup, which helps them convey the message.
- Their performance will utilize the catwalk connecting the Green Room and the main stage.
- The performance is built on the merits of their deep connection and chemistry.
- The backdrop LED screen plays a crucial role in the performance, presenting haunting visuals: from a mystical cave to an enchanting forest, closing the performance by pulling us through a wormhole at such high speed.
- The performance is built on sisterhood, harmonies, and dark atmosphere.
4.🇬🇷 Greece: Akylas – Ferto
- The staging is arcade game inspired.
- Akylas is wearing an orange and black outfit and his regular kitty hat and furry boots.
- Some may say his visuals will resemble of a tiger.
- Akylas will be joined on stage by Parthena Chorozidou, Michalis Michailidis, Christos Nikolaou, and Konstantinos Karypidis.
- There will be multiple video effects and illusions for the viewers, featuring some new characters.
- At the peak point of the performance, he stops, removes his funky shades, steps out of character, and addresses his mother in an emotional display.
5.🇵🇹 Portugal: Bandidos do Cante – Rosa
- The 5 band members are joined by a 6th member, a violinist. They are wearing elegant suits.
- The performance starts with the band members standing in one line, while the camera shots are long, panning them one by one to the audience.
- They look proud and fully committed to their mission.
- The performance ends with the visuals on the screen behind the band springing into life. This is when Rosa blooms, on the backdrop LED screen.
6.🇬🇪 Georgia: Bzikebi – On Replay
- The Bzikebi trio will play a tribute to their Junior Eurovision performance with black and yellow outfits. They are wearing yellow catsuits cinched in with black-striped PVC.
- Their general looks resemble superheroes.
- The backdrop will show 3 huge Cyborg Bzikebi characters with crazy eyes.
- Their performance is equiped with rich lasers to help enhance the electrifying power of the song.
7.🇫🇮 Finland: Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen – Liekinheitin
- Linda is wearing a strapless, silver mini dress with a soft, textured or ruched fabric that gives it a delicate, almost ethereal look. It is paired with knee-high metallic silver boots, which add a bold, futuristic contrast. The overall vibe is icy, elegant, and striking—almost like a modern “ice queen” aesthetic.
- Pete is dressed in a black, deep V-neck shirt or blouse with a silky, slightly sheer finish. He wears a neckline that plunges low, revealing a vertical chest tattoo, adding a dramatic and edgy touch. His trousers are loose, high-waisted black trousers create a flowing, relaxed silhouette.
- The general concept of the staging is similar to that of “UMK 2026”, but some elements have been sharpened, especially the customs.
- Linda Lampenius stands alone on the deserted stage of what was once an orchestra. She is surrounded by overturned chairs and sheet-music stands of what looks like an orchestra area.
- Pete is inside the wooden confessional box, with dramatic lights.
- Towards the peak of the song, the camera pans away from Linda. She will run towards the back of the stage to be reunited with Pete, and there she’s lifted onto the abandoned orchestra seating for a showdown with Pete. It brings him to his knees, and the set goes up in flames.
- The performance will be dramatic, hot, and full of fire and an orange-red palette.
Don’t forget to visit our Eurovision 2026 homepage
