TheEurovision Song Contest 2006 was the 51st edition of theEurovision Song Contest. It was held inAthens,Greece (following Greece's victory in the2005 contest). It saw 37 countries participate, withArmenia taking part for the first time while theSerbia and Montenegro did not return. The show was presented byMaria Menounos andSakis Rouvas.
The winner was decided by a public vote (televote). Viewers from each country voted for their favorite acts. Each country awarded 12, 10 and 8–1 point(s) to their 10 favourite songs (with each number only being used once).
