Ladies and gentlemen Ukraine has selected its Eurovision 2026 entry and act for Vienna! Leleka will have the grand honour of representing Ukraine at the forthcoming 2026 Eurovision Song Contest.
Leleka was crowned the winner of Vidbir 2026 with ‘Ridnym’ and will defend the Ukrainian colours at Eurovision next May.
A total of 10 acts competed for the golden ticket to Eurovision 2026. The 2026 Ukrainian national final was hosted by and Timur Miroshnychenko (Eurovision 2017 host/Ukrainian Eurovision commentator) and Lesya Nikityuk.
Ruslana ( Eurovision 2004 winner/ Ukraine), Zlata Ognevich (Ukraine 2013) were part of the five member jury during the show.
The 2026 Ukrainian Eurovision entry and act was determined via a combined jury/public televoting deliberation.
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 placing (2013, 2024) 1 4th placing (2011) and a 5th placing (2021).
