Eurovision 2026: the queer bets we’re making for a gloriously chaotic final

Eurovision week is here, the memes are already unhinged, and the 70th edition in Vienna is shaping up to be very, very extra. Bookmakers are screaming Finland, the fanbase is split between several camps, and 35 countries are lining up to fight with key changes and pyro. At ket, we listened, argued and replayed way too many times – and we ended up with three big crushes for this year’s contest: Romania, Greece and Finland.

Spoiler: yes, we think Finland might just burn the stage down. But let’s start at the beginning.

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Romania: the comeback that refuses to behave nicely

First, Romania. After being absente.e from the contest, the country comes back with a song that doesn’t try to be “nice Eurovision”, and that’s exactly why we’re into it. “Choke Me” by Alexandra Căpitănescu goes full dark pop with BDSM undertones, industrial edges and a chorus that doesn’t ask for permission. It’s not here to be family‑friendly; it’s here to bite.

Where other entries are playing safe ballads or radio‑friendly EDM, Romania is bringing something that feels genuinely risky and theatrical. Vocally, Alexandra delivers attitude and control; visually, there’s a clear space to push staging towards something queer, fetish‑coded and unapologetically extra. It’s the kind of track that will probably divide the living‑room audience – but in queer circles, it has all the makings of a future cult favourite.

Is it a winner? Maybe not according to the odds, where Romania is much lower than the usual favourites. But in our ket hearts ranking, “Choke Me” is absolutely in the top tier. It’s the kind of song you don’t necessarily play for your parents, but you definitely play at 3 a.m. in a darkroom bar in Brussels.

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Greece: chaos, camp and a gloriously unhinged earworm

Then there’s Greece, represented by Akylas with “Ferto” (Φέρτο). On paper, it’s a mix of Balkan pop, hyperactive club energy and something that sounds like a folklore rave in a gay sauna. In practice, it’s a beautiful mess in the best possible way.

“Ferto” feels like that one song in the line‑up that makes you go: “What is this… and why am I obsessed?” The structure is borderline chaotic, the production is dense, and the hook lodges itself into your brain like glitter under your skin. It also gives Akylas plenty of space to camp it up on stage – which, frankly, is what this contest is for.

Bookmakers are taking Greece very seriously: depending on the week, Akylas sits in the top 3–5 favourites, with around 7–14% chances of victory in recent odds tables. That’s already impressive. Add the staging potential and you get a genuine contender – and a likely fan‑favourite in queer bars from Brussels to Athens.

Our call: Greece is the chaos pick that could easily seize a jury/televote combo if the live comes together. Expect TikTok edits, drag performances and a lot of breathless dancing.

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Finland: the banger to beat

Let’s be honest: if you’ve seen even one list of favourites, you already know this. Finland is currently the undisputed front‑runner with “Liekinheitin”, performed by Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen. Every ranking, from bookmakers to fan polls, has them sitting comfortably at the top, with around 30–35% chances of victory and an even higher probability of landing in the top 5.

And for once, the hype makes sense. “Liekinheitin” is a proper Eurovision banger: huge chorus, ethnic‑pop flourishes, a build that just keeps climbing and a drop designed for arena screams and pyrotechnics. Linda’s violin, Pete’s vocal power, the mix of Finnish lyrics and anthemic production – everything screams “winner edit”.

From a queer‑night-out perspective, it’s the track you will hear all summer in LGBTQIA+ bars, Pride afterparties and drag shows. It has that particular quality Eurovision fans call “instant”: even if you hear it for the first time during the final, you’ll get it by the second chorus. That’s rare, and very dangerous for the competition.

Our prediction: if anyone steals the trophy from Finland, they’ll have deserved it. Right now, this is the song to beat.

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And the others?

Of course, it’s not just about our three crushes. Other countries are clearly in the mix:

• France with “Regarde!” by Monroe, a dramatic, almost lyrical pop entry that the odds regularly place in the top 5.
• Denmark with “Før Vi Går Hjem”, a indie‑pop‑leaning track that seems to seduce both juries and viewers.
• Australia, Luxembourg, Italy and Sweden all have songs that could sneak into the upper part of the scoreboard depending on staging and live performances.
• Belgium, because we are Belgians.

But if Ket had to put metaphorical coins on the table, our queer podium of the heart would look like this:

1. Finland – “Liekinheitin” (banger of the year, likely winner)
2. Greece – “Ferto” (chaotic anthem with huge queer potential)
3. Romania – “Choke Me” (dark, kinky comeback we want to see explode on stage)

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How to watch it queer‑style in Brussels

Because we’re Ket, we won’t let you watch this alone in your pyjamas if you don’t want to. Brussels is full of bars, cultural spaces and Pride‑adjacent venues that will screen the final – some with drag commentary, others with fully themed nights.

• Keep an eye on the Rainbow Village spots (Stammbar, La Reserve, etc.) and queer venues across the city for viewing parties.
• Check our Pride‑season articles on ket.brussels for tips on where to watch Eurovision right after getting home from a Pride event or queer party.
• And yes, Finland, Greece and Romania will all be on our own Eurovision drinking game card. Proceed carefully.

Whatever happens on the scoreboard in Vienna, one thing is clear: Eurovision 2026 is serving enough drama, queerness and bangers to keep Brussels dancing well beyond the final chorus.

Side note: an alternative night at La Madeleine

While Vienna is busy crowning a new Eurovision winner, Brussels is also hosting an alternative festival this Tuesday evening at La Madeleine. Titled “United for Palestine”, the event is organised in solidarity with Palestinians and to protest Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest.

The initiative brings together Belgian unions and solidarity organisations, including FGTB‑ABVV, CSC‑ACV, INTAL, SOS Gaza, 11.11.11 and Vrede vzw. On a night usually dedicated to glitter and key changes, “United for Palestine” is a reminder that culture and politics are always intertwined – and that not everyone feels like celebrating under the same spotlight.

KET Magazine is a community‑driven, non‑profit magazine run by volunteers based in Brussels. Get in touch to share your thoughts or tell us about your activities. You can also promote your events on our website or support our work with a donation. Contact us at Info@ket.brussels.