What happens if Australia win Eurovision, why they're in it, and Delta Goodrem's promised 'surprises'
Australia is in Eurovision once again - and for another year it's left many of us going 'huh, why?'.
Given the pretty vast distance between Europe and Australia - we're talking more than 14,000 kilometres - it doesn't quite make sense on the face of it as to why a country from outside of Europe is partaking in a singing content for... European countries.
The same can also be said for Israel and Azerbaijan, with the rules not being as strict and obvious as we might be assuming.
And that's because the Eurovision Song Contest isn't technically a geographical singing competition.
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In fact, as with most of what runs the world, a lot of it comes down to TV and who runs what in that world.
Why Australia is in Eurovision alongside Israel and Azerbaijan
Strictly speaking, Eurovision is a product put together by the European Broadcasting Union, stylised as the EBU.
Currently the EBU is it is made up of 123 organisations from a total of 56 countries.
And the power lies with these broadcasters as to who participates in Eurovision, with 'being based in Europe', as some may assume, not something that is a pre-requisite in the slightest.
Australia debuted back in 2015, wit the EBU allowing the country to partake to commemorate the 60th contest.
Does Eurovision go to Australia if Delta Goodrem wins?
I'm afraid not, Aussies. The show must remain in the northern hemisphere, as per ECB rules.
Back in 2016, Australia's Eurovision representative Dami Im finished second - the closest we've ever come to seeing what happens next in reality.
Should Dni Im have done back then, it was wildly expected German broadcaster Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR) would have seen them host the show in Germany. Failing that, the United Kingdom's BBC were the back-up if NDR opted out.
Delta Goodrem 'surprises'
Aussie legend Delta Goodrem will represent Australia in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest with her song 'Eclipse', performing in the second semi-final on Thursday night (14 May). The first semi-final saw its fair share of controversy, with that never too far away in recent months.
If she places in the top 10, she'll be back for the final on Saturday at the Wiener Stadthalle stadium in Vienna, Austria.
Speaking with BBC Radio 2 ahead of the shows, Goodrem told those watching they can expect surprises - including the possibility of her levitating.
“We’ve definitely got some staging surprises,” Goodrem said.
“It’s been very hard to hold these things back but I’m finally excited to share what staging we have this week.”
On the chances of her leviatating, she said: "We’re definitely giving it everything we’ve got."
Topics: Australia, Eurovision, Music, TV, World News, Europe
Tom Earnshaw