Following the breaking news earlier today that Moldova will return to the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, national broadcaster TRM have announced further details on the selection process that will be held on January 17.

🇲🇩 Moldova launches revamped national final for Eurovision 2026

During a news bulletin, Moldova’s national broadcaster TRM have announced further details of their eagerly awaited Eurovision comeback. Moldova had withdrawn from the 2025 contest siting “economic, administrative and artistic challenges.” Early next year a refreshed version of its national final will be held on January 17. For the first time, the show will take place in an arena setting. The 5,000 capacity sports hall, Arena Chișinău becomes the new home of the national final.

Following a successful consultation with local Moldovan artists and producers, a number of changes have been approved for the revamped selection. Once the submission window closes in early December, a long-list of acts will be selected by producers and TRM for the live audition round. However, in a break from tradition, the live auditions will not be available as a public broadcast. These will be closed auditions.

From these auditions, 5-10 acts will be chosen for the live broadcast of the national final on January 17. During the show, a national jury, international jury and the voting public will each get a third of the say in the final results. The winner will represent Moldova at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna, Austria next May. In another twist, TRM will offer financial support to the winning act. Moldovan artists have often been asked to pay many expenses themselves, when wealthier broadcasters are usually able and willing to cover them as part of their delegation’s budget.

Serghei Orlov and Roman Burlaca are set to oversee the selection process. Both have worked with Moldovan Eurovision artists in the past, Orlov having been (among other things) the agent of Lidia Isaac (2016). Meanwhile, Roman Burlaca directed the video for ‘Wild Souls’ (2014), having also directed many videos for Moldovan and Romanian artists.

Moldova in the Eurovision Song Contest

Moldova made their Eurovision debut in 2005 with Zdob și Zdub’s ‘Boonika bate doba‘. With a successful sixth place, this was the start of things to come. Overall Moldova has participated in the contest 19 times and have reached the final on 13 occasions. As well as reaching the top 10 five times. Their best ever result came in 2017 with SunStroke Project’s energetic, ‘Hey Mamma‘ achieving third place. They have also finished second in the televote at the 2022 contest in Turin with Zdob și Zdub and Advahov Brothers’ ‘Trenulețul‘.

In 2024, former Eurovision 2007 representative, Natalie Barbu took to the Eurovision stage once more. During the first Semi-Final, ‘In The Middle’ placed 13th with 20 points. Thus, becoming Moldova’s first non-qualification since 2019.

Who should represent Moldova at Eurovision 2026? Let us know! Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra.bsky.social on Bluesky, @escxtra on Instagram, @escxtra on TikTok and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates! Also, be sure to follow us on Spotify for the latest music from your favourite Eurovision acts. As well as YouTube to see interviews and reactions to the latest Eurovision news.

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