It is well known that Sweden is a country with a long tradition and deep love for the Eurovision Song Contest, something once again proven by the record-breaking number of songs submitted for Melodifestivalen 2026!
A total of 3,888 songs have already been sent to Sweden’s national broadcaster SVT, of which only 30 will earn a coveted spot in the country’s national selection for Eurovision. This marks the highest number of submissions in the history of the competition. The closest year was back in 2011, with 3,832 entries, while this year’s figure also far exceeds last year’s 2,794 submissions, when KAJ and “Bara Bada Bastu” went on to represent Sweden at Eurovision 2025.
This year, the Swedes are once again introducing changes to the rules. Until now, the jury consisted of music professionals, journalists, as well as casual listeners without any specific expertise. From 2026 onwards, however, the jury will be composed exclusively of individuals with a clear musical background and education, giving the process an even more professional character.
What remains unchanged -at least for now- is the structure of the festival: six semi-finals across different Swedish cities, leading up to the big Grand Final where Sweden’s next Eurovision representative will be decided.
Source: Melodifestivalen
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