Bulgaria claimed its first Eurovision victory as performer Dara and her upbeat anthem “Bangaranga” captured the top prize at the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. The song’s infectious “Welcome to the riot!” refrain and buoyant production helped it beat 24 other finalists in Saturday’s glittering show.
Dara accepted the Crystal Microphone trophy from last year’s winner, JJ of Austria, shouting “Oh my god!” as the audience cheered. Israel finished second for the second consecutive year. Earlier in the week, 10 entries were eliminated in two semi-finals, narrowing the original field of 35 competitors.
NPR critic Glen Weldon had singled out “Bangaranga” among his favorite entries, calling it an “insanely catchy bop” with “deep, profound, abiding grooviness.” The victory surprised some viewers and bookmakers, since Bulgaria had not been widely tipped as a favorite going into the contest.
Organizers and hosts emphasized Eurovision’s role as a display of international goodwill. “In a world often divided, we stand united by music,” host Michael Ostrowski said at the close of the broadcast. Last year’s contest, held in Basel, set a viewership benchmark, reaching some 166 million viewers across dozens of markets.
But this year’s contest was marked by political tensions related to the war in Gaza. Five countries—Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain—withdrew in late 2025 in protest after the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) allowed Israel to participate. Demonstrations related to the conflict took place in Vienna during the contest week, and there were both anti- and pro-Israel rallies.
Israeli singer Noam Bettan performed a multilingual ballad, “Michelle,” in French, Hebrew and English. While Bettan faced audible protests during the semifinal, the final performance did not draw the same boos. Bettan had told media he prepared to perform even if confronted by hecklers.
The controversy revived questions about fairness and consistency in EBU decisions. Russia remains disbarred from Eurovision after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine; the EBU cited state control of the Russian broadcaster as a reason. Ahead of the final, EBU deputy director general Jean Philip De Tender defended allowing Israel to compete on the grounds that Israel’s public broadcaster, KAN, operates independently, unlike Russia’s state-run broadcaster.
The EBU has also adjusted voting and participation rules in response to recent controversies. New measures prohibit contestants and broadcasters from engaging in third-party promotional campaigns, including those run by governments.
Spain’s prime minister publicly criticized what he called a “double standard” in the EBU’s approach. The debate over rules and participation underscored how Eurovision, despite its focus on music and spectacle, remains intertwined with broader geopolitical disputes.
For Bulgaria, the win is a historic milestone. “Bangaranga” will now be remembered as the song that delivered the country’s first Eurovision crown, a moment likely to be celebrated across Bulgaria and in Eurovision fans’ playlists worldwide.