Estonia: First “Eesti Laul 2026” Participants Have Been Revealed

“Eesti Laul 2026” will be the Estonian selection process for Eurovision 2026.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Eesti Laul (@eesti_laul)

ERR has revealed first 6 contestants in “Eesti Laul 2026”:

1. NOËP – “Days like this”
2. Grete Paia – “Taevas jäi üles” (Eng: The Sky Stayed Up)
3. Marta Pikani – “kell kuus” (Eng: At 6 O’clock)
4. Ollie – “Slave”
5. Uliana Olhyna – “Rhythm of Nature”
6. Vanilla Ninja – “Too Epic To Be True”

Among them, we can recognize some familiar names :

• Vanilla Ninja represented Switzerland in Eurovision 2005 with “Cool Vibes”
• Grete Paia competed in “Eesti Laul” in 2013, 2016, 2019 and 2022.
• Ollie competed in “Eesti Laul” in 2023 and 2024.

The remaining 6 will be revealed tomorrow!

“Eesti Laul 2026” – Known Details

1. The final will take place on Saturday, February 14th, 2026.
2. Korea and Karl-Erik Taukar will host the show.
3. 12 artists will be shortlisted to participate in the final. The results will be based on public votes and jury votes.
   • In the first round, the results will be based on a 50% public vote and a 50% international jury vote.
   • The top 3 acts will progress to the super-final, where the winner will be selected by public vote only.
4. The shortlisted songs will be released on December 4th, 2025. The artists can’t release them before.
5. The songs submitted to the Estonian Song Contest were evaluated by a 34-member jury: An-Marlen, Andrei Zevakin, Andres Aljaste, Ave Sophia Demelemester, Eda-Ines Ettim Eleryn Tiit, Eva Palm, Evelin Võigemast, Frederik Küüts, Grete Kuld, Henri Laumets, Indrek Sarrap, Isabella Runge, Kaarel Sein, Kadi-Maarja Võsu, Karl Ander Reismann, Kristo Veinberg, Magnus Müürsepp, Maian Kärmas, Marek Miil, Maris Järva, Maris Kõrvits, Meelis Kompus, Mihkel Sirelpuu, Neit-Erik Nestor, Petr Sushkov, Rahel Ollisaar, Ramo Teder, Raul Ojamaa, Robert Kõrvits, Sander Allikmäe, Sander Varusk, Teet Kask, Ülar-Johannes Palm.

Karmel Killandi, Editor in Chief, commented:

I am glad that Tommy Cash did not scare the artists away with his great success, but instead spurred them on.

Riin Vann, “Eesti Laul 2026” producer, added:

Based on communication with our musicians, we know that Eesti Laul is an important platform.
The upcoming season promises to be full of excitement and surprises.
The line-up of artists and composers who submitted songs to the competition is impressive, and considering that there are only 12 places in the final, we can expect exceptionally tight competition.

Tommy Cash represented Estonia in Eurovision 2025
He performed “Espresso Macchiat” and finished 3rd in the final.

Eurovision 2026 will be held in Vienna, Austria, on May 12th, 14th, and 16th, 2026.