Following the recent confirmation of their participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 taking place in Vienna, Austria next May, Serbian broadcaster RTS has now opened song submissions for the upcoming selection Pesma za Evroviziju ’26.
🇷🇸 RTS opens submissions for Pesma za Evroviziju ’26
Once again RTS will use the Pesma za Evroviziju national selection show to select its Serbian representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. Over the past four years, the broadcaster has preferred the live show format.
The rules for the national selection retain a similar structure to previous years. All submissions must feature at least 51% of the lyrics in one of the official languages. During the live shows the public vote and professional jury remains. Each providing 50% of the total scores. In the final of Pesma za Evroviziju ’26 the winner will be the song and artist that achieves the highest combined score.
However, one interesting rule for this year is that the songs will be chosen based on artistic merit. Should the submissions fall below the quality expected of RTS, the broadcaster reserves the right to internally select an entry of their choosing. Artists and songwriters have until November 10 to submit their entries.
Serbia in the Eurovision Song Contest
After previously competing as part of one-time winning nation Yugoslavia, and then Serbia & Montenegro, Serbia made their debut as an independent nation in 2007. Marija Šerifović was selected as Serbia’s first Eurovision entrant, with, ‘Moltiva’. After winning the Semi-Final with 298 points, Serbia managed to win the whole contest, scoring 268 points in the Final.
Following a successful first year, Serbia placed 6th on home soil in 2008. However, in 2009, they failed to make the final for the first time. Since then, Serbia have managed one more top three placing – in 2012. Željko Joksimović, who had already been a Eurovision runner-up in 2004 for Serbia & Montenegro, finished 3rd with, ‘Nije ljubav stvar’.
Last year, following victory in Pesma za Evroviziju ’25, Princ represented Serbia with, ‘Mila’. Unfortunately he failed to qualify for the Grand Final. ‘Mila’ placed 14th in the second Semi-Final.
Who should represent Serbia 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.
