RUV, the Icelandic national broadcaster, has announced that it plans to compete at the forthcoming Eurovision Song Contest 2026 but with reservations. Songvakepnnin will be held to select Iceland’s Eurovision entry and act, but Iceland’s participation is subject to a satisfactory outcome in the consultation process currently underway at the EBU.
Iceland’s participation at Eurovision 2026 remains uncertain and the final outcome will depend on the outcome on the current consulation process at the EBU.
Due to the current global geopolitical scenario the EBU has decided to extend the final confirmation deadline from October to December. Hence broadcasters have until mid December to confirm their participation or withdraw their application without suffering a financial penalty.
RUV is expected to confirm its preliminary participation at Eurovision 2026 in the coming days but subject to a satisfactory outcome at the ongoing consulation process at the EBU.
RUV’s press release reads:
RÚV will announce its participation in next year’s Eurovision in the coming days. However, the participation is subject to a satisfactory outcome in a consultation process that is underway with the EBU, the European Broadcasting Union.
At the organization’s general meeting in July, voices of criticism were raised about Israel’s participation in the contest. Slovenian state broadcaster RTVSLO announced over the weekend that it would not participate in Eurovision if Israel was allowed to compete.
The EBU has decided to extend the deadline for submitting entries for Eurovision to December, instead of October as before. A consultation process is underway at the EBU regarding next year’s contest, which is expected to be completed by early December.
RUV’s press release continues to read:
Stefán Eiríksson, the radio director, says it is currently known that Iceland intends to announce its participation in Eurovision soon and Songvakeppnin (Iceland Song Contest) will be held.
The next step will depend on the outcome of the consultation process. A final decision will then be made on whether Iceland will participate in Eurovision.
Stefan Eiriksson (RUV General Director) says:
What is clear is that we will announce our participation in Eurovision next year, but subject to a satisfactory outcome in the consultation process currently underway at the EBU level.
Iceland at Eurovision
Iceland debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1986 and is yet to win the competition.The Nordic country has competed 37 times in the contest. Iceland achieved it’s best results in the contest in 1999 and 2009 when it placed second.
In 2025 VAEB represented Iceland at the Eurovision Song Contest with their entry ‘ROA’.
https://youtu.be/c73Lx1QUZZA?si=JlJSC3EviD7kDPCI
