Following their first qualification since 2017, Portugal have confirmed their participation for Eurovision 2022. Earlier this week, broadcaster RTP announced the news by opening submissions for Festival da Canção 2022, with double the slots for public submissions as this year’s edition.
Portuguese broadcaster RTP have confirmed their participation for the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest by publishing the rules for the 56th edition of Festival da Canção. Most notably perhaps, the broadcaster has doubled the number of slots in the lineup for public submissions, from two in 2021 to four in 2022.
Otherwise, the format will remain similar to this year’s edition. There will be 20 entries in total, 16 of which will be from composers personally invited by RTP. There will be two semi-finals, with five songs qualifying from each semi. The Grand Final will be held with ten competing entries, with the winner being determined by 50% televote and 50% jury voting.
Portugal at Eurovision 2021
Last year, Elisa won Festival da Canção 2020 with “Medo de Sentir”. Unfortunately, however, she didn’t get a chance to represent her country at Eurovision due to the pandemic. Following the cancellation of Eurovision 2021, RTP confirmed that Festival da Canção 2021 would go ahead.
Despite not being internally-selected, Elisa went on to perform as a guest at the festival, and was Portugal’s spokesperson for the Grand Final. The Black Mamba ended up winning the 2021 edition of Festival da Canção with “Love Is On My Side”, marking Portugal’s first English-language entry at the contest in 52 years. In Rotterdam, the band broke Portugal’s non-qualification streak, ultimately placing 12th with 153 points.
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