Eurovision 2026: who is Dara, the Bulgarian winner of this 70th edition?

Which contestant had the luck to win the 70th edition of the Eurovision? Who succeeds JJ, the Austrian entrant and happy winner last year? On May 16, 2026, fans of the Eurovision Song Contest watched the new edition unfold with great interest, as it was broadcast live on France 2 from Vienna, Austria.

This year, 35 hopefuls lined up, all determined to clinch the victory. But only one could claim the top spot on the podium. While many had hoped Monroe would win this edition with her song “Regarde !,” and deliver France a new crown after Marie Myriam’s 1977 triumph, it was ultimately Dara, the Bulgarian entrant, who swept the boards. In the final hours, Dara had even staged a notable surge among the competition’s favorites for Eurovision’s 70th edition, with bookmakers placing her as the third favorite.

While the artist may be little known in France, Dara stands as one of the most celebrated pop musicians in her homeland. The singer has notably captured attention with her hits “Thunder”, “Call Me” and “Mr. Rover”, which ruled the charts for weeks.

• To be read
• Eurovision 2026: Monroe, France's entrant, ultimately finishes 11th in the contest
• Eurovision 2026: Bulgaria wins the contest, France finishes 11th, the full standings
• Eurovision 2026: Meet the 35 Songs Competing in This Year’s Contest

Thanks to these various chart-topping tracks in Bulgaria, Dara has become a defining figure on the modern Balkan music scene.

Before representing Bulgaria at the Eurovision with her song Bangaranga, Dara had appeared on several television music shows, including Bulgaria's fourth season of X Factor. She has also become a coach on the Bulgarian adaptation of The Voice. On the music front, Dara has two studio albums to date, including Adhdara, released in 2025.

With her stage presence and a bold fusion of genres, Dara has taken a major step in her career by winning the 70th Eurovision on May 16, 2026, with 516 points.

Thanks to the singer Dara and her song "Bangaranga", Bulgaria secures its very first Eurovision crown. Until now, the country had never managed to reach the top of the podium. Bulgaria will thus have the honor of hosting the 71st edition of Eurovision, scheduled for spring 2027.

Eurovision 2026: Bulgaria wins the contest, France finishes 11th, the full standings
Eurovision made its comeback this Saturday, May 16, 2026, with a grand final held this year in Vienna, Austria. With a total of 516 points, Bulgaria secured the 70th edition of the song contest, courtesy of its representative Dara and her track "Bangaranga." France ultimately finished in 11th place. Discover the results and the full standings for Eurovision 2026! [Read more]