The road to Eurovision 2026 has already been full of drama, unexpected winners, and viral moments. Even before the Grand Final in Vienna, national finals across Europe have given fans plenty to talk about. From legendary pop stars making comebacks to genre-defying performances and social-media sensations, every week has delivered surprises that show the journey to Eurovision is as exciting as the contest itself.
Italy: Sanremo Brings a Tight Race
Italy’s Sanremo Music Festival 2026 concluded on 28 February with Sal Da Vinci winning for his heartfelt ballad “Per sempre sì”.
Narrow Victory Edges Out TikTok Favorites
While no TikTok star officially won, the online excitement around rising artists highlighted how Italy’s national final blends tradition with digital-age fandom.
With Sanremo’s winner representing Italy at Eurovision, fans are eagerly anticipating how this classic ballad will resonate on the Vienna stage.
United Kingdom: A Bold Internal Pick
The UK took a different approach, choosing its Eurovision 2026 entry internally rather than holding a public national final. The chosen song, “Eins Zwei Drei”, grabbed attention for its playful German-language title. Even without a televised competition, this bold choice sparked fan discussions and reminded audiences that surprises can happen behind the scenes, not just on stage.
Germany: Pop Veterans vs. Newcomers
Germany’s Das Deutsche Finale 2026, held on 28 February, was one of the closest contests of the season. Sarah Engels won with her pop track “Fire”, narrowly defeating indie newcomer Wavvyboi. The contest highlighted Germany’s mix of familiar stars and fresh voices, keeping fans guessing until the last moment and proving that even well-known performers can face stiff competition.
Spain: A Historic Withdrawal
Spain made headlines when RTVE announced in September 2025 that the country would withdraw from Eurovision 2026 due to political concerns surrounding Israel’s participation. With the European Broadcasting Union confirming Israel’s place, Spain decided not to compete or broadcast the contest, marking the first absence since its debut in 1961. The move turned heads across the Eurovision community, showing that surprises this year aren’t just about songs; they can come from unexpected decisions behind the scenes.
France: A Young Voice Enters the Race
France has revealed its Eurovision 2026 representative through an internal selection, choosing 17-year-old singer Monroe with the song “Regarde!”. Known for winning the talent show Prodiges, Monroe brings a powerful voice shaped by classical training, adding a fresh and youthful energy to France’s lineup this year. Her selection continues the country’s recent strategy of internal picks instead of televised national finals, and fans are already curious to see how her blend of classical vocals and modern pop production will translate to the Eurovision stage in Vienna.
San Marino: Senhit and Boy George Take Center Stage
San Marino made headlines in 2026 when veteran Eurovision performer Senhit, joined by legendary British pop star Boy George, won Una Voce per San Marino 2026 with their song “Superstar.” Their victory in the national final on 6 March captured international attention, showing that San Marino’s selection process can generate just as much buzz as the main Eurovision stage itself.
Finland: Genre-Bending Wins
Finland’s UMK 2026, held on 28 February, crowned Linda Lampenius & Pete Parkkonen with “Liekinheitin”, a high-energy rock and theatrical performance. The win surprised fans who expected a pop favourite, showing that national finals can reward bold, unconventional acts. Record-breaking public votes confirmed that audiences love creativity and originality in Eurovision entries.
Lithuania: A Marathon Selection
Lithuania once again delivered one of the longest and most detailed national selection processes with Eurovizija.LT 2026. The competition featured 40 acts across five qualifying rounds before reaching the final on 27 February, where Lion Ceccah emerged as the winner. The multi-week format kept fans engaged throughout the season, proving that Lithuania’s approach continues to build anticipation and momentum before the Eurovision stage even lights up.
Romania: A Return to the Eurovision Stage
Romania’s Selecția Națională 2026 (National Selection 2026) marked the country’s return to Eurovision after a two-year absence due to financial and broadcasting challenges. Alexandra Căpitănescu won the national selection with the song “Choke Me”, securing the ticket to Vienna through a jury vote. Her victory introduces a powerful new voice to the Eurovision lineup and signals Romania’s renewed ambition to make an impact on the contest stage.
Why National Finals Matter
From Boy George in San Marino to Germany’s close vote, Italy’s social media buzz, Spain’s historic withdrawal, and Finland’s genre-defying winners, national finals are storytelling moments in their own right. In San Marino, the return of iconic performers brought star power and international attention to a small but ambitious contest. Germany delivered a nail-biting finish, showing that even well-known artists face tough competition. Italy’s Sanremo finalists combined tradition with viral online energy, highlighting how social media can shape fan favorites. Spain’s withdrawal reminded audiences that surprises don’t always come from the stage itself. And Finland’s bold, theatrical entry celebrated creativity, diversity, and inclusivity, reflecting Eurovision’s embrace of all voices.
These contests showcase ambition, originality, and unexpected moments long before the stage lights up in Vienna, proving that anything can happen in 2026.
Join the Conversation
Which national final moment caught your attention the most this year? Was it a bold internal pick, a TikTok sensation rising to fame, or a legendary artist making a comeback? Share your thoughts, discuss with fellow fans, and tell us which acts you’re most excited to see on the Eurovision stage. Your opinions help shape the conversation: every fan perspective counts in celebrating the excitement of Eurovision 2026.
Sources
• RAI / Festival di Sanremo 2026 press release, Sal Da Vinci to represent Italy at Eurovision 2026 (eurovision.com)
• EurovisionWorld / Germany Das Deutsche Finale 2026, Sarah Engels wins with Fire (eurovisionworld.com)
• RTVE / Spain Withdrawal Announcement, Spain withdraws from Eurovision 2026 (eurovisionworld.com)
• Eurovision.com / Finland UMK 2026, Linda Lampenius & Pete Parkkonen win (eurovision.com)
• EurovisionWorld / San Marino Una Voce per San Marino 2026, Senhit & Boy George participation (eurovisionworld.com)
• Eurovision.com / Romania Selecția Națională 2026 results (eurovision.com)
• Eurovision.tv / France internal selection, Monroe chosen for Eurovision 2026 (eurovision.tv)
• EurovisionWorld / Lithuania Eurovizija.LT 2026, Lion Ceccah wins (eurovisionworld.com)
