As the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 season begins to take shape in the wake of JJ’s victory, Lithuania’s national broadcaster LRT have announced the return of EUROVIZIJA.LT 2026 with a number of format changes. The national final will select the representative for Lithuania in Austria next May.
🇱🇹 EUROVIZIJA.LT 2026 returns with format changes
The national broadcaster for Lithuania, (LRT) have commenced its search for the act that represent the Baltic country in Austria next May. Once again, EUROVIZIJA.LT will be used to select the next representative for Lithuania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. Song submissions are now open and will remain so until November 11.
Following the deadline, the selection panel will have until November 25 to pick at least 30 entries for the televised shows. The Semi-Finals will commence from January 17. The Grand Final will take place on February 27 at the Twinsbet Arena in Vilnius.
Ahead of this years’ selection, LRT have confirmed a number of changes to the format. Following the controversy around the tiebreak system last year, the televote will now break the ties instead of the jury. After the conclusion of the Semi-Finals a vote will open to choose one wildcard for the Grand Final. This vote will consist of all the third place acts in their respective Semi-Finals. During the Grand Final only the combined jury and televote will decide the winner. The bonus Super-Final round will no longer be used.
For the first time, online voting will be introduced into the shows, alongside app voting and SMS.
Lithuania in the Eurovision Song Contest
Lithuania debuted at the contest in 1994. Their first entrant, Ovidijus Vyšniauskas with the song ‘Lopšinė mylimai‘, finished last with nil points. However, this didn’t deter them from continuing; they have participated every year since 2004. Overall, Lithuania have participated in 18 Grand Finals from 25 appearances. Their best finish came in 2006 with LT United’s ‘We Are The Winners‘. Despite the title, LT United could only manage 6th. Since undertaking a complete overhaul of the national selection, Lithuania have advanced to the Grand Final four times in a row.
Last year, the Lithuanian jury and public chose Katarsis with ‘Tavo akys’ in EUROVIZIJA.LT 2025. During the Basel contest, Katarsis placed 16th with 96 points in the Grand Final.
Who should represent Lithuania at Eurovision 2026? Let us know! Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra.bsky.social on Bluesky, @escxtra on Instagram, @escxtra on TikTok and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates! Also, be sure to follow us on Spotify for the latest music from your favourite Eurovision acts. As well as YouTube to see interviews and reactions to the latest Eurovision news.
