RÚV, the Icelandic national broadcaster, has announced the deadline for songs to be submitted to compete in Söngvakeppnin 2026.
Icelandic songwriters and singers have until midnight on November 20 to submit their songs to compete in Söngvakeppnin 2026. The Icelandic broadcaster made the announcement on social media, confirming that no decision has yet been made on participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. They added:
“We have already received more songs than last year, and RÚV encourages composers to take advantage of the opportunity before the deadline expires.”
Söngvakeppnin 2026 is expected to feature 10 songs. Should Iceland compete in Eurovision 2026, the winner of Söngvakeppnin 2026 will represent Iceland in Vienna.
Væb represented Iceland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 with “Róa”. They qualified for the Grand Final, marking Iceland’s first appearance in a final since 2022. Iceland placed 25th, scoring 33 points. Its highest points came in the form of 10 points from the Danish televote.
Image source: Alma Bengtsson/ EBU | Source: RÚV
Iceland debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1986 and, aside from 2 years of relegation in 1998 and 2002, has participated every year since. The contest is incredibly popular in Iceland, regularly being one of the most-watched programs of the year. Iceland has yet to win the contest but has finished in 2nd on two occasions. In 1999, Selma missed out on victory in Jerusalem by 17 points, and in 2009 Yohanna became the most successful Icelandic entrant ever finishing 2nd in the final with the song “Is it True?”. She scored 218 points, yet still finished 169 points behind the runaway winner Norway.
