Rumours about the lineup for the upcoming edition of the Swedish national selection, Melodifestivalen 2026, continue to gather pace.
As in previous years, Swedish newspaper, Aftonbladet, is starting to receive reports about what the lineup of artists for Melodifestivalen 2026 might look like. So far, the paper has reported ten names that they are very sure will compete in the upcoming selection.
Among them is former Melodifestivalen winner, Robin Bengtsson, who represented the country in Eurovision 2017 in Kyiv with the song, “I Can’t Go On”. Another name rumoured for the national selection includes Felicia, formerly known as Fröken Snusk, who competed in Melodifestivalen 2024 with the song, “Unga & Fria”, but did not reach the final.
Other artists expected to be part of the lineup are many who have competed in previous editions. These include Greczula, Sara Ludvigsson, Meira Omar, and Arwin. As well as the band, Smash Into Pieces, who have finished third in both of their previous two participations.
The well-known Swedish duo, Medina, are also rumoured to be returning to Melodifestivalen for a third time. They previously finished third in 2022 with the song, “In i dimman”, and second in 2024 with, “Que Sera”.
Among the names believed to debut in Melodifestivalen is Eva Jumatate, who competed in Sweden’s Got Talent 2019 and has since pursued a career in acting. Another expected debutant includes TV-personality, Junior Lerin, known from his marriage to painter and author, Lars Lerin.
Finally, Swedish newspaper, Expressen, reports that former Melodifestivalen winner, Sanna Nielsen, is expected to return to the national selection for the first time since winning in 2014 with “Undo”. This would be her eighth participation in Melodifestivalen, making her part of a very small group of people who have competed so many times.
These are the 11 artists rumoured to be competing in Melodifestivalen 2026:
Saga Ludvigsson
Meira Omar
Smash Into Pieces
Eva Jumatate
Felicia
Greczula
Medina
Junior Lerin
Robin Bengtsson
Arwin
Sanna Nielsen
Aftonbladet also reports that the shows are expected to be hosted by Gina Dirawi, who hosted the national selection in 2013 and 2016, along with comedian, Hampus Nessvold.
Melodifestivalen 2026
Melodifestivalen 2026 will take place across six cities in Sweden. The dates, places and host cities for the shows are:
Heat 1: Saab Arena, Linköping (January 31)
Heat 2: Scandinavium, Gothenburg (February 7)
Heat 3: Kristianstad Arena, Kristianstad (February 14)
Heat 4: Malmö Arena, Malmö (February 21)
Heat 5: Gärdehov Arena, Sundsvall (February 28)
Final: Strawberry Arena, Stockholm (March 7)
Melodifestivalen has been held annually since 1959, except for 1964 and 1976, when Sweden did not compete in Eurovision. The winner of Melodifestivalen 2026 will represent the country in Vienna.
KAJ represented Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 with “Bara Bada Bastu”. They finished 4th in the final with 321 points.
Source: Aftonbladet & Expressen | Image Source: Alma Bengtsson/ EBU
Sweden debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1958 and has gone on to be one of the contest’s most successful countries. The country has won the contest 7 times – tying with Ireland, the most recent being in 2023. Abba´s win in Brighton 1974 with the song “Waterloo” marked Sweden’s first victory. Since missing out on the final in 2010, the country has gone on to finish 3rd twice and has won the contest three times. Only in 2013 and 2021 did the country place outside of the top 10 in the final.
