RUV, the Icelandic national broadcaster, has cancelled Songvakepnnin 2026 following its withdrawal from Eurovision 2026.
The Icelandic Song Contest, Songvakepnnin 2026, has been cancelled eventhough singers and songwriters had submitted songs for the competition. Last month five countries withdrew from the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 due to Israel’s participation at the competition including Iceland.
Eurovision fans across Europe followed the Icelandic national selection fervently. RUV has informed the singers and songwriters that Songvakepnnin 2026 has been cancelled.
Eva Georgs. Ásudóttir (RÚV’s Program Director) says:
There will be no traditional singing competition. It is clear and was actually planned in December and what will replace it is under consideration. We will do our best to offer a good program in place of the singing competition. It is clear that the song contest in the format that has existed since we participated in Eurovision will not be held. The prerequisites for a traditional song contest are broken by our not participating in Eurovision, what will be done next has not been decided.
Iceland in Eurovision
Iceland debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1986 and is yet to win the event. The country achieved its best results in the competition in 1999 (Selma) and 2009 ( Yohanna) when it placed 2nd in the Grand Final.
The Nordic nation has partaken in Europe’s favorite television show 37 times.
In 2025 VAEB represented Iceland at the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel with their entry ‘Roa’.
