Finland’s UMK 2026 application process to find their Eurovision 2026 hopeful will open in August. It comes after Erika Vikman scored 11th in Basel after winning UMK 2025.
UMK 2026 applications to open for six days
Each artist can submit a maximum of three songs to the competition, nevertheless, only one of the three will be eligible for the competition. The act submitting the song must be the final performer of the entry. Moreover, the song can be performed in any language as long as at least one of the songwriters or singers has Finnish citizenship or has a permanent residence in Finland.
The UMK 2026 application period is open from the 18th to the 24th of August and you will be able to send your submissions over through the official Yle website.
What is UMK?
Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK for short) has been the method of selection for Finland since 2012. The national selection has seen a variety of different formats over the years. We have had semi-finals, we have had a song selection for internally choosen artists, Yle have really given us it all in terms of this national final.
Currently, UMK takes place over one night, with seven acts taking part. Thanks to high production value, an international focus and fan favourite songs, UMK has grown in popularity over the years and is now one of the most anticipated on the national final calendar.
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.
Who would you like to see take part in UMK 2026? Can Finland score a win next year? 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 : Miikka Varila / Yle
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