Portuguese broadcaster RTP have revealed the 16 composers who will compete in next year’s edition of Festival da Cançao.
Class of 2026
16 composers will write songs for Festival da Canção 2026, four fewer than in the 2025 edition.
Eight were invited directly by RTP, six were selected through the open submissions, one from the new Prova de Acesso format, with a final composer invited directly by reigning champions NAPA.
Familiar faces to Eurovision fans are Inês Sousa, who competed in Festival da Canção 2017, and Bateu Matou, a group including Quim Albergaria – composer and member of Esse Povo in 2023.
| Composer | Source |
| André Amaro | Invited by RTP |
| Bandidos do Cante | Invited by RTP |
| Bateu Matou | Invited by RTP |
| Cristina Branco | Invited by RTP |
| Djodje | Invited by RTP |
| EVAYA | Invited by RTP |
| Inês Sousa | Invited by RTP |
| Marquise | Invited by RTP |
| AGRIDOCE | Open Submissions |
| Francisco Fontes | Open Submissions |
| Gonçalo Gomes | Open Submissions |
| Jacaréu | Open Submissions |
| Rita Dias | Open Submissions |
| Sandrino | Open Submissions |
| Dinis Mota | Prova de Acesso |
| Nunca Mates o Mandarim | Invited by NAPA |
What now?
The composers may choose to either interpret their song themselves, as the majority of composers have done in recent editions, or select another artist to interpret the song for them, as Luísa Sobral did in 2017, writing the song “Amar Pelos Dois” for her brother Salvador to perform.
Festival da Canção 2026 will consist of two semi-finals and a final. The semis will take place on February 21st and 28th February, with the final taking place on 7th March. The songs will be released in due course.
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.
Which composer are you most excited about? 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: RTP
Euan T 
Giwrgos Oiko