The prestigious Marcel Bezençon Awards for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 have been announced live from Vienna. Christer Björkman, one of the founders of the awards, had the honour of presenting the coveted trophies to this year’s deserving recipients in the three distinct categories.
Named after Marcel Bezençon, the founder of the Eurovision Song Contest, the awards were established in 2002 by Christer Björkman and Richard Herrey to honour the best competing songs in the final. They are a highly regarded recognition within the Eurovision community, celebrating various aspects of the participating entries.
The awards are divided into three significant categories:
The Press Award
This award is bestowed upon the best overall entry, as determined by the collective vote of the accredited media and press present at the event. For Eurovision 2026, the Press Award goes to Australia. Their entry, ‘Eclipse’ performed by Delta Goodrem, captivated journalists and critics alike with its compelling presentation and strong artistic merit.
The Artistic Award
The Artistic Award celebrates the best artist, with the winner being selected by the commentators of the participating countries. This year, the accolade for outstanding stage presence and performance goes to Bulgaria. DARA, with her song ‘Bangaranga’, impressed the commentators with her charisma and captivating stage delivery.
The Composer Award
Perhaps one of the most respected awards, the Composer Award recognises the best and most original composition. A jury consisting of all the participating composers in the contest casts their votes to determine the winner. In a testament to exceptional songwriting, Denmark has been honoured with the 2026 Composer Award.
The ceremony, hosted by Christer Björkman, took place in the Vienna Stadthalle, adding to the excitement just hours before the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. These awards highlight the diverse talents and efforts that contribute to making the Eurovision Song Contest a spectacular annual event.
