Portugal held its traditional music “Festival da Canção“.
The grand final, held at the Valentim de Carvalho studios in Lisbon, marked a 60-year celebration of the contest. Filomena Cautela, Vasco Palmeirim, Catarina Maia, and Alexandre Guimarães hosted the show
The Songs
10 artists performed tonight in the following running order:
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- Bandidos do Cante – Rosa (Eng: Rose)
- João Ribeiro – Canção do Querer (Eng: Song of Desire)
- André Amaro – Dá-me a Tua Mão (Eng: Give Me Your Hand)
- Gonçalo Gomes – Doce Ilusão (Eng: Sweet Illusion)
- Marquise – Chuva (Eng: Rain)
- EVAYA – Sprint
- Sandrino – Disposto a Tudo (Eng: Ready for Anything)
- Nunca Mates o Mandarim – Fumo (Eng: Smoke)
- Silvana Peres – Não Tem fim (Eng: It Has No End)
- Dinis Mota – Jurei (Eng: I Swear)
The Results
The results were based on 50% public vote and 50% jury votes (based on 7 regional juries). In a dramatic conclusion to Portugal’s national selection, Bandidos do Cante have emerged as the winners of Festival da Canção 2026. They placed 2nd for the jury and 1st for the public.
This year’s victory carries a weight far heavier than usual. The lead-up to the final was marked by a historic protest within the Portuguese music industry. Out of the 16 original acts selected for the festival, a staggering 13 artists signed a joint statement declaring their refusal to represent Portugal at Eurovision 2026 if Israel was permitted to participate.
While the majority of their peers drew a “red line” at the EBU’s decision, Bandidos do Cante were among the very few who took a different stance. From the early stages of the competition, the group was vocal about their commitment to the stage. They were one of only two acts—alongside André Amaro—who explicitly agreed to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest regardless of the other 13 acts’ decision to boycott.
Portugal will compete in semi-final 1 of Eurovision 2026 (May 12th, 2026)
The country is allocated to perform in the first half of the show
Eurovision 2026 will be held in Vienna, Austria, on May 12th, 14th, and 16th, 2026.
