Swedish broadcaster SVT has revealed the host cities and dates for its national selection for Eurovision 2026, Melodifestivalen. The show will once again take place over six weeks, in six different cities and venues, with no major change on the format announced.
Usual players and a few comebacks
The following cities and venues will host the Swedish selection over the months of January, February and March:
- Heat 1 – Linköping – Saab Arena – 31 January
- Heat 2 – Gothenburg – Scandinavium – 7 February
- Heat 3 – Kristianstad – Kristianstad Arena – 14 February
- Heat 4 – Malmö – Malmö Arena – 21 February
- Heat 5 – Sundsvall – Gärdehov Arena – 28 February
- Final – Stockholm – Strawberry Arena – 7 March
The format will remain that of five heats and one final, with six songs in each heat. Last year, two entries qualified from each heat, with a third one going to the “Final Qualification” round held right after Heat Five, where two would join the ten others for a final with twelve entries.
Among the cities chosen this year are the classic trio of Gothenburg, Malmö and Stockholm, with Linköping back, as it has done so every three years since 2005. Kristianstad will host the contest for the second time in its history, having organised the Second Chance (Andra Chansen) round in 2018 (where Felix Sandman got his ticket for the final, where he would end up finishing second).
As for Sundsvall, it will be a fourth hosting and a first one in the Gärdehov Arena, with Melodifestivalen returning to the northern city for the first time since the Second Chance round of 2011, where Loreen failed to reach the final for her first participation in the selection.
A record number of submissions
Earlier this month, after the closing of the submission window, SVT announced that an absolute record number of 3,888 songs had been submitted for the 2026 edition. This is more than a thousand more than the 2025 figure (2,794 entries) and has beaten a previous record of 3,832 established in 2011.
At the time, just as for 2026, new rules had been put in place for the selection of songs in the upcoming edition. This year, the jury has been changed from a diverse panel of music professionals, editors and “regular” music listeners, to a panel consisting only of music professionals.
No comment on the Israel situation from SVT
While several broadcasters have commented on the current situation regarding Israel’s participation in the contest, with some ready to withdraw and others withholding any decision on participation until December, SVT has refused to comment on these possibilities. The broadcaster confirmed they would take part back in July, but has not re-confirmed it or said anything about changing or confirming their decision, simply stating that the matter will be looked into at a later date.
We are primarily engaged in dialogue with the EBU and will return to this matter at a later date.
Hanna Dowling, Head of Communications at SVT
How do you feel about the host cities for Melodifestivalen 2026? Do you intend to attend any of the shows? Who would you like to see in the competition? Tell us more in the comments below or on social media, at @escxtra!
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