Romania has chosen Alexandra Căpitănescu as its representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. The singer won Selecția Națională 2026 on 4 March 2026 at 19:00 CET (20:00 local time) with her song Choke me, securing the ticket to the international stage in May after an evening decided exclusively by a professional jury.
A jury-decided final in Bucharest
The Grand Final of Selecția Națională 2026 took place in Bucharest and was broadcast by the Romanian national broadcaster Televiziunea Română. Twelve acts competed live, each hoping to represent Romania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.
Unlike some previous editions, the 2026 winner was determined solely by a professional jury panel made up of music industry experts. After all performances and the final vote reveal, Alexandra Căpitănescu emerged at the top of the scoreboard.
On stage, Căpitănescu delivered an intense and emotionally charged performance of Choke me. The staging relied on dramatic lighting, sharp camera work and a strong vocal delivery that highlighted the song’s contemporary production.
What happens next?
Preparations now begin for the international stage, including potential staging refinements and promotional appearances across Europe in the lead-up to rehearsals in the host city.
Can Alexandra Căpitănescu bring Romania back to the Grand Final and secure a strong result in 2026? The Eurovision journey has officially begun.
