Suspilne, the Ukrainian national broadcaster has published the rules and regulations for Vidbir 2026 and opened the song submission window for the competition.
The song submission window for Vidbir will be open from 3rd September to 27th October 2025. The rules and regulations for Vidbir 2026 have been published. You can submit your application here and here.
The 2026 Ukrainian national final is scheduled to be held in February. The 2026 Ukrainian entry and act will be determined via a combined expert jury/ public voting deliberation.
Jamala ( Vidbir 2026 Music Producer/ Eurovision 2016 winner) says:
Don’t be afraid to experiment and remain yourself – this is what Eurovision values and this is what the audience remembers. You can submit an unlimited number of songs – two, three or even four, because it is important to show yourself in different facets of creativity. But remember: each song must comply with the rules of the competition, so read them carefully before submitting. This year I also want to see your live videos – even a simple selfie from a car will do. The main thing is to hear the contestant’s live performance without editing. And most importantly – get ready now, because when you go on stage, you need not to prepare for the performance, but to perform. Believe in yourself, in your dream and remember: on stage you represent not only yourself, but also Ukraine.
Vidbir 2026 Requirements
- Artists who will reach the age of 16 as of May 3, 2026 can participate in the National Selection . As in previous years, both solo performers and bands with no more than 6 members can apply to participate.
- Participants in the Ukrainian National Selection for Eurovision 2026 cannot participate in selections held by other participating countries.
- The selection requirements stipulate that the song must be up to 3 minutes long . Original songs created without using other works are allowed to participate. In addition, a song that applies for participation in the National Selection must be one that has not previously been published or performed publicly.
- The number of songs submitted by one participant is not limited. In addition, the rules of the National Selection allow the submission of demo versions.
- Based on the results of the nationwide preliminary selection, a longlist of participants will be formed who will continue their participation in the National Selection. The list will include up to 15 performers . Participants on the longlist must pass an audition, in which personal participation is mandatory.
- Based on the results of the audition, a list of selection finalists will be selected by December 15 , which will include up to 9 performers .
- Among the longlist participants who do not make it to the finalists, an online rating vote will be held, which will determine another finalist.
- The final of the National Selection will take place in February 2026. The winner of the selection will be determined by the results of the jury and audience voting.
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.
