Who will take over from Austrian JJ, the winner of last year’s Eurovision? To find out, you'll need to watch the grand final of the song contest, scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2026, in Vienna. In the meantime, predictions are already flying, and some artists are emerging as top contenders. One candidate in particular is earning early favor. Who is he? Which country does he represent, and what’s the name of his song? We’ve got all the details for you!
According to bookmakers, the Finnish duo made up of Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen is a strong contender to win this 70th edition of Eurovision with their song "Liekinheitin." As of March 9, 2026, the act representing Finland currently leads the Eurovision betting odds with a 26% chance of taking home the trophy, according to bookmakers. The two artists, selected last February during the annual contest organized by the Finnish broadcaster UMK, are at the top of the leaderboard. In second place is the French contender Monroe, with 11%, followed by the Danish representative (10%).
It’s worth noting that "Liekinheitin", a track performed by Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen, has a captivating blend of rock, classical music, and dance. Their performance has already racked up over 1 million views on YouTube in just eight days.
The Finnish duo features Linda Lampenius, a globally renowned classical violinist. She first joined the Helsinki Junior Strings at just eight years old and later became known by her stage name, Linda Brava. Throughout her teenage years, she embarked on numerous tours across North America, Europe, and Asia. Since then, she has released several solo albums that have charted in Finland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
Meanwhile, Pete Parkkonen gained widespread recognition through the television show « Idols », where he finished in third place in 2008. Since then, the singer has released several albums and performed at numerous clubs and festivals across Finland. He has established himself as one of the most prominent voices in Finnish pop and soul music.
This spring, Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen will represent Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest with their song "Liekinheitin." The duo will perform during the first half of the first semi-final on Tuesday, May 12. While both artists are currently seen as front-runners, they haven't yet secured a spot in the grand final scheduled for May 16—unlike France, the UK, and Germany, members of the "Big 5" who automatically qualify.
It's worth noting that Finland finished 11th in last year's final, with their entry by Erika Vikman and her song "Ich Komme." So, will Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen do even better and bring home the victory in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest? Stay tuned this May to find out!
Eurovision 2026 in Vienna: Semi-Final Draw Results
The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Vienna, Austria, from May 12 to 16. While the lineup of the 35 participating countries and their songs remains under wraps, the organizers have revealed the draw results for the semi-finals. [Read more]
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Eurovision 2026 in Vienna: Semi-Final Draw Results
