Suspilne, the Ukrainian national broadcaster, has revealed the number of song submissions for Vidbir 2026 – their national selection for the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, in Vienna.

Suspilne have revealed that 451 song submissions from 392 artists, have been made for Vidbir 2026 – these include 313 soloists and 79 bands. A longlist of participants will be formed by Suspilne, with up to 15 artists to sign a contract with Suspilne by Friday 21st November. The longlist participants will take part in auditions, before up to nine finalists are announced by Monday 15th December. The longlist of acts that do not make the finalists list will take part in an online vote to determine one additional finalist.

Jamala, winner of the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest and Music Producer for Vidbir 2026, had the following to say:

“I am sincerely grateful that you entrusted me and the Suspilne team to listen to the songs and watch your video applications, video messages, and sometimes even entire messages that you add to your songs. It is a great honor for me, because I feel as if I am performing another important function – as if I am collecting modern folklore. Yes, do not be surprised! You are the folklore of today. Why? Because you sing songs that capture our historical moment, your personal confession. Everything is like in folk songs. So for me it is truly a great honour and responsibility.”

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Author: Richard Taylor

Source: Eurovoix