Delta Goodrem finished fourth at Eurovision, missing Australia's first win. Her performance of 'Eclipse' received widespread acclaim despite Bulgaria's Dara winning the contest.
Key points
Delta Goodrem finished fourth at Eurovision 2026
Her performance of 'Eclipse' received praise
Bulgaria's Dara won with 'Bangaranga'
This was Australia's best chance for a win since 2016
Eurovision took place in Vienna, Austria
Mentioned in this story
Delta GoodremDami ImDaraVienna
Eurovision
Delta Goodrem’s fourth-placed Eurovision finish has dashed Australia’s hopes of winning the world’s biggest song contest for the first time but won resounding praise for the “iconic” singer.
The former Neighbours star dazzled at the grand final of the Eurovision song contest in Vienna, Austria, early on Sunday morning Australian time.
Performing her power ballad Eclipse, Goodrem had been considered one of Australia’s best chances for the top prize since Dami Im finished second in 2016.
While voters loved her, she couldn’t beat the Bulgarian singer Dara, whose party anthem Bangaranga took out the 70th edition of the contest in the first win for the eastern European nation.
Goodrem stands at a sparkling, golden piano as she performs her song Eclipse at Eurovision
Goodrem stands at a sparkling, golden piano as she performs her song Eclipse at Eurovision. Photograph: Hannibal Hanschke/EPA
Goodrem thanked those who supported her along the Eurovision journey after the release of the results.
“Representing Australia on the Eurovision stage and being part of this incredible community has been unforgettable,” the 41-year-old singer-songwriter said.
“I’m so grateful for all the love and support from home and around the world. It has carried me every step of the way.”
Performing eighth out of 25 acts, Goodrem stood at a sparkling, golden piano, dancing across the keys and belting out the lyrics, “One touch, one kiss, all my life for a night life this.”
As the song rose to a crescendo, she ascended to a platform that rose from the instrument while sparklers and fog machines unleashed behind her.
Q&A
What was Delta Goodrem's final placement at Eurovision 2026?
Delta Goodrem placed fourth at Eurovision 2026.
Who won the Eurovision contest in 2026?
The winner of the Eurovision contest in 2026 was Bulgarian singer Dara with the song 'Bangaranga.'
What song did Delta Goodrem perform at Eurovision?
Delta Goodrem performed her power ballad 'Eclipse' at Eurovision.
How did Australia's Eurovision chances compare to previous years?
Australia's hopes were high, especially since Dami Im finished second in 2016, making Goodrem one of the best chances for a win.
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Delta Goodrem and team celebrating
Goodrem’s performance was ranked second after the jury votes were allocated. Photograph: Christian Bruna/Getty Images
Eurovision tragics, draped in flags, wigs and everything from fanciful golden gowns to traditional European clothing, braved the early morning chill across Australia to watch Goodrem sing.
Leo Chant spent days making an applique of diamantes to recreate Goodrem’s costume for a broadcast party at Hurstville, in Sydney’s south.
“I’ve been waiting so long – for the 10 years that Australia has been in it – for Delta to participate,” said Chant, who also heads the event.
“She was phenomenal, she was iconic, she was Delta.”
Crowd dressed in gold and waving flags
Leo Chant (centre) recreated Delta Goodrem’s grand final outfit for a Eurovision viewing party in Sydney. Photograph: Nadir Kinani/EPA
Hopes were high as results began to flow in.
The Eurovision winner is decided by votes from each country’s jury of industry professionals and viewer votes cast by phone or text.
Neither the jury nor the public can vote for their own country.
The act with the most points wins and the victorious country hosts the competition the next year.
By the time the jury’s votes were allocated, Australia was sitting in equal second place with Denmark, behind Bulgaria.
Crowds celebrate and cheer at Eurovision party
Crowds celebrate at a Eurovision broadcast party. Photograph: Nadir Kinani/EPA
But the public poll rewrote the leaderboard, pushing Israel to second and Romania into the final podium slot, narrowly ahead of Australia.
The result came as a surprise after bookies’ pick Finland faded to sixth, while Australia had been positioned as the second favourite.
It was the nation’s second-best performance in Eurovision behind Dami Im’s Sound of Silence, which finished runner-up to Ukraine’s Jamala in Stockholm in 2016.
It was an emotional rollercoaster for the dozens gathered in Sydney’s south at the Eurovision broadcast party.
“I was expecting that she would come top three, but top four is still exceptional,” Chant said.
“She still did Australia proud. But you have to hand it to Bulgaria. They were amazing and they’ve never won it before.”
Fans sing and dance at Eurovision party
Eurovision tragics brave the early-morning chill across Australia to watch Goodrem sing. Photograph: Nadir Kinani/AAP
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, also praised the star’s performance, saying he had watched the coverage as the votes rolled in.
“Delta Goodrem is someone who can be very, very proud of her efforts,” he told reporters on Sunday. “And all Australians are proud of Delta.”
The often irreverent song competition has been marred by controversy as several countries boycotted it this year as a protest against Israel’s participation.
The public broadcasters of five countries – Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia – oppose Israel’s involvement over the country’s treatment of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
