🇭🇷 HRT receives 251 submissions for Dora 2026

Preparations for Dora 2026 are in full swing in Croatia, as broadcaster HRT confirms it received 251 submissions for next year.

Record submissions for Dora 2026

Despite Marko Bošnjak’s failure to qualify to the final in Basel, HRT has been keen to capitalise on Baby Lasagna’s second-place success in 2024. As a result, the broadcaster opened its submissions window earlier than usual, encouraging artists to send in their songs.

The submissions window closed last month, with HRT confirming 251 songs were sent to the broadcaster. This is the highest number of submitted entries since Dora returned as a national selection in 2019.

Only artists could submit entries that had not been performed for the public or released in any way. Authors must have also had the full rights to the song’s music and lyrics, in accordance with Dora’s regulations.

HRT’s internal committee will now listen to all 251 songs and evaluate how many can advance to the televised selection. Dora 2025 will take place in the second half of February, and will be held at HRT’s studios in Zagreb, leaving Dora’s traditional home, Opatija.

Croatia’s Eurovision journey

Croatia has been a part of the Eurovision family since 1961, as part of Yugoslavia. Ten Croatian artists went on to represent Yugoslavia in the Contest – the most famous of which being Riva, who gave Yugoslavia its only win in 1989. The 1990 Contest was held in Zagreb as a tribute to their Croatian heritage. Croatia debuted in the Contest as an independent nation in 1993 with the band Put and their song “Don’t Ever Cry”. Since then, Croatia has gone on to score as high as 2nd place in 2024.

In 2025, Croatia chose Marko Bošnjak to represent the nation in Basel with his song “Poison Cake”. Performing in the first semi-final, Croatia failed to qualify for the final, placing twelfth with a televote score of 28 points.

What do you make of the number of submissions for Dora 2026? Who would you like to see represent Croatia 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: HRT

Photo Credit: Alma Bengtsson / EBU