Bulgaria Takes the Crown: A Night of Euphoria at Eurovision 2026

As the clock struck midnight in the heart of Malta’s capital, Valletta, the island nation bid farewell to its month-long reign as the European song contest capital. The stage was set for a new champion to rise, and rise it did, as Bulgaria’s Intelligent Music Project soared to victory at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.

From Malta to Liverpool: A Journey to the Top

The road to Liverpool, this year’s host city, began in Malta last May when the island won the hearts of Europe with Destiny’s ‘Je Me Casse’. A year later, the contest returned to the UK, but the spirit of Malta echoed through the M&S Bank Arena. Our little island might have been thousands of miles away, but our love for the contest remained as strong as ever.

Malta’s Eurovision fever was palpable. From the bustling streets of Paceville to the quiet corners of Rabat, every Maltese was glued to their screens, cheering on their favorites. The local pubs and clubs were filled with fans, their faces painted in the colors of their chosen countries, singing along to the familiar tunes.

Bulgaria’s Euphoric Victory

The night belonged to Bulgaria. Their entry, ‘Intention’, a powerful rock ballad performed by the Intelligent Music Project, captivated the audience and the jury alike. The band’s frontman, Ronny Rom, delivered a spine-tingling performance that left the crowd begging for more. When the dust settled, Bulgaria found themselves at the top of the leaderboard, scoring an impressive 427 points.

Malta’s own entry, ‘Out of Sight’ by Elah, put up a valiant fight. The young singer-songwriter’s emotive performance earned Malta a respectable 18th place, a testament to the island’s growing musical prowess on the international stage.

What’s Next for Malta and Eurovision?

As the Eurovision flag is passed from Liverpool to next year’s host, all eyes are on Sweden. But Malta’s love for the contest doesn’t fade with the closing ceremony. Our island is already buzzing with excitement for the Junior Eurovision, set to take place in Valletta later this year. And who knows? Maybe Malta will once again rise to the occasion and bring the main contest back to our shores.

For now, though, we raise our glasses to Bulgaria. To Intelligent Music Project, we say, ‘Well done!’ And to our fellow Europeans, we look forward to seeing you all again, under the Eurovision spotlight.