Finnish public broadcaster Yle has confirmed it will be participating in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest. It comes as Yle adds to growing concerns regarding the televoting system of the show.
Yle to hold UMK in Tampere once again
In a press release, Yle confirmed that its well-trusted national final Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu would be returning. They also added that the competition would once again return to Tampere. The final of the show is expected to be held on February 28th. Speaking on the decision to come back, Maiju Viiki from the City of Tampere said:
UMK’s role in the Finnish music scene is significant. We are really happy to have the competition in our city again, as the city is investing in the development of the local music industry in the coming years.
It comes as Yle added it would raise its concerns regarding the televoting system the Contest uses. It followed allegations of voter manipulation in the wake of the 2025 edition in Basel, which saw Israel finish in second place. The EBU has said it is committed to helping quash broadcasters’ concerns. In a statement, the broadcaster’s head of entertainment Juha Lahti said the question of the televote had caused controversy in Finland for some time.
He explained:
We will ask the EBU whether it is time to update these rules or at least review whether the current rules allow for abuse.
He went on to explain that the 50/50 split between the televote and the jury should also be investigated. Citing Loreen’s domination, edging out Käärijä’s second place in Liverpool, he added that Eurovision would have already been in Finland, had the televote had a higher weighting.
No plans to mention Israeli participation in concerns
Meanwhile, Lahti confirmed that Yle has no intention of bringing up the question of Israel’s participation in the Contest. This came, despite calls from a number of organisations to boycott the competition entirely. Lahti added:
We don’t have any plans for this. Now we’ll do the normal post-Eurovision cleaning and then start planning for UMK. Eurovision-related questions will begin in the autumn.
Finland’s Eurovision journey
Finland debuted in the 1961 Eurovision Song Contest, finishing 10th with Laila Kunnunen’s “Valoa ikkunassa.” Since then they have competed 56 times, and appeared in the final 48 times. Finland has finished in the top 10 an impressive 14 times. They have won the contest once in 2006, with Lordi’s performance of “Hard Rock Hallelujah” getting 292 points.
Finland’s most recent entry was “ICH KOMME” by Erika Vikman. Competing in the second semi-final, Erika qualified for the final, and would eventually finish in 11th place with 196 points. Of these, 108 came from the televote, while the jury awarded her 88 points.
Are you happy to see Finland confirm its participation at Eurovision 2026? Will the EBU listen to Yle’s concerns? As always, please let us know what you think by getting involved in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Threads, tumblr, and Bluesky for more information about Eurovision 2026!
News Source: Yle
Photo Credit: Corinne Cumming / EBU
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