Portuguese broadcaster RTP will reveal the 20 songs taking part in this year’s contest, as well as the 14 artists who will be performing the songs by composers directly invited by RTP.
Save the date!
The 20 songs will be released on Thursday 23 January, but we already know the composers of all 20 songs. Six performers are already known – those who applied to the selection via the open call format. They are: Capital da Bulgária, Diana Vilarinho, Henka, Inês Marques Lucas, Josh, and Xico Gaiato.
The other composers may choose to either perform their songs themselves, as all of them chose to do in 2024, or invite somebody else to perform their song on their behalf, as Luísa Sobral did in 2017, inviting brother Salvador.
The semi-final split is also already confirmed, having taken place the same day as the composer announcement, with the results revealed last month.
What’s still to come?
- 23rd January – Performer and Song Reveal
- 22nd February – First Semi-Final
- 1st March – Second Semi-Final
- 8th March – Final
What is Festival da Canção?
Festival da Canção is a Portuguese music festival held every year. Artists apply, but they also get invited to take part in the festival by the broadcaster RTP. Festival da Canção selects the Portuguese representative for the Eurovision Song Contest.
This national final is one of the oldest national finals and has been going for 57 years. The first edition of Festival da Canção was all the way back in 1964. The festival was held in 1970 and 2000 despite the country not taking part in the contest, first due to a boycott, and then in 2000 due to be relegated from the contest.
Portugal’s Eurovision Journey
Portugal debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest with António Calvário’s “Oração” in 1964. Since then, Portugal has participated in the competition 55 times – appearing the final 46 times. Their only win in the competition came in 2017 with Salvador Sobral, performing his heart-wrenching song “Amar Pelos Dois”.
Portugal’s most recent participation was with iolanda and the song “Grito”. iolanda managed to qualify for the Grand Final and once there, she finished in 10th place. She received a total of 152 points, of which 139 points came from the jury and 13 points came the televote.
Do you think any composers will invite another performer? Which song are you looking forward to? As always let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow “That Eurovision Site” on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, tumblr, Threads and Bluesky as we turn our attention to Eurovision 2025!
News Source – RTP
Photo Credit – RTP
Giwrgos Oiko 
Samantha