Festival da Canção, Portugal’s national selecction for Eurovision, returns in 2026 with a renewed format and fresh ways for artists to take part.
New entry routes
This year, several new ways to enter the competition are being introduced:
- Prova de Acesso: For the first time, Festival da Canção is opening a path for music students from two specialist schools: ETIC in Lisbon and ESMAE in Porto. Each school nominated students or groups in composition and production, and a jury selected five finalists. From 16–30 September, the public can vote online for their favourite. Each finalist performs both a cover and an original song, with the winner earning a place in Festival da Canção 2026.
- Invitation from last year’s winners: Starting with this edition, the previous Festival da Canção winners can directly invite one act to take part. NAPA, who won in 2025, have used the privilege to bring a new contestant into this year’s lineup.
- Open submissions: As in previous years, anyone living in Portugal or Portuguese citizens abroad can submit entries. Submissions are open until 31 October. RTP will also invite eight composers, who may perform their own songs or choose other singers. You can submit your song here.
Together, these routes will form a 16-song lineup for Festival da Canção 2026.
Voting changes
Festival da Canção 2026 also sees updates to its voting system. According to ESC Discord, online voting will now be used in the Semi-Finals and the Final, giving audiences more influence throughout the process.
Eurovision connection clarified
Another key change is that the Festival da Canção winner will not be obliged to represent Portugal at Eurovision. While the contest has long served as the country’s selection method, RTP has confirmed that Festival da Canção will continue with “its own identity” regardless of Eurovision outcomes – similar to Italy’s Festival di Sanremo.
About 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 on 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 being relegated from the contest.
Last year, NAPA, with the song “Deslocado”, won the national final without winning either jury(4th) or televoting(2nd). At Eurovision, the band managed to qualify for the Grand Final and once there, they finished in 21st place. They received a total of 50 points, of which 37 points came from the jury and 13 points came from the televote.
What do the Portuguese keep from us? 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: RTP
Photo Credit: Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU
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