RTCG has opened the submission window for Montesong 2025, the country’s national selection for Eurovision 2026. Artists now have until October 3 2025, to submit their entries.
Submission Window & Entry Requirements
Interested artists and songwriters should submit the final version of their song, lyrics, artist biography, and composer details. While the submission window lasts one month, RTCG says the internal selection period, if needed, could be activated if no entry meets the demanding quality.
Entry criteria include:
- Original songs not published or performed before 1 September 2025
- Maximum song length: 3 minutes
- Performers must hold Montenegrin citizenship, while songwriters may be from any country
- Songwriters may submit up to 2 entries each
- Relevant and complete documentation must be delivered physically to RTCG, in accordance with the specified technical and procedural conditions of the competition.
Within 10 days of the window closing, a selection committee consisting of musicians, composers, and industry experts will shortlist up to 16 finalists. Entries are judged on composition (50 pts), lyrics (30 pts), and production potential (20 pts), with a minimum 75/100 points required to qualify for the final 16 slots. The competition will end up in a live national final, where the winner will be decided through a combination of expert jury votes and SMS public voting.
Why Montesong matters for Montenegro
RTCG organising team says:
“Montesong is not just a music competition, it is a festival of creativity that gives new momentum to the domestic and regional scene. We want to hear new voices, but also to provide space for established musicians to show how rich and innovative the Montenegrin scene is.”
Montesong debuted in late 2024 and has quickly become a platform to elevate Montenegrin artistry. In its first edition, it attracted 37 submissions, with 16 finalists performing live, earning strong public engagement, and over 2.5 million unique viewers across TV and digital platforms.
Montenegro’s Eurovision Journey
Before Montenegro announced its return to the Eurovision Song Contest for 2025, it had a scattered appearance at the competition. There has been a Montenegrin presence at the Eurovision Song Contest as far back as 1983, when the nation was a part of Yugoslavia. Montenegrin entries went on to represent Yugoslavia in 1983 and 1984, placing 4th and 18th, respectively. Similarly, the nation also sent an entry as part of Serbia and Montenegro in 2005, placing 7th with No Name’s “Zauvijek moja”.
Montenegro returned to the Contest in 2025 with Nina Žižić returning to the competition after 12 years. Singing “Dobrodošli”, Montenegro competed in the second semi-final. However, their return did not see a return to the final, with Montenegro finishing last in the semi-final with just 12 points.
Are you excited for Montesong 2025? 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: RTCG
Photo Credit: Corinne Cumming/EBU
Tim J