Suspilne, the Ukrainian national broadcaster, has confirmed to ESCToday that Ukraine will partake at the forthcoming 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Austria!
Thus Ukraine joins the list of countries who have so far confirmed their participation at the forthcoming 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Austria next year.
Oksana Skybinska (Ukranian Head of Delegation) says:
In 2026, Eurovision will be a landmark musical event as it marks the Contest’s anniversary. Large-scale events and heightened media attention are exactly what we can expect. For Ukraine, this is a chance to make our voice heard louder than ever and once again affirm the strength and uniqueness of our musical DNA. Considering the challenges posed by the previous contest, we want to prove that Ukraine is above all about incredible artists who create music of European quality, set trends, convey profound meanings, and through their own example proudly demonstrate the high level of creativity born under the incomparable hardships of war. The anniversary contest, which will draw the world’s attention, is the perfect opportunity to do so. In addition, given this milestone year for Eurovision, we are preparing surprises for the National Selection. We will start revealing them very soon.
Suspilne will determine the 2026 Ukrainian Eurovision representative and entry via a national selection. More details will be unveiled in due course.
Ukraine in Eurovision
Ukraine debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2003 with Oleksandr Ponormayov‘s Hasta la vista, and has won the competition thrice in 2004 (Ruslana), 2016 (Jamala) and 2022 (Kalush Orchestra). The country has hosted the contest twice in its majestic capital Kyiv in 2005 and 2017.
Ukraine is one of the most successful countries in the Eurovision Song Contest and has so far not missed out competing in the Grand Final. The Eastern European nation has competed in Europe’s favourite television show every year since its debut with the exception of 2015 and 2019 when the country withdrew from the competition.
The Ukrainians have made it 14 times in the top 10 of the leader board in their 20 ESC participations, including 3 victories ( 2004, 2016, 2022), 2 2nd placings (2007, 2008), 2 3rd placings (2013, 2024) 1 4th placing (2011) and a 5th placing (2021).
In 2025 Ziferblat represented Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel with their entry ‘Bird of Pray‘, achieving an honorable 9th place in the Grand Final.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DG0l8sSNJM
