Tonight, Malta’s national broadcaster TVM has revealed the 18 acts that will compete across two lives to follow in Miriana Conte’s footsteps on the Vienna stage at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.
🇲🇹 18 Semi-Finalists will compete in MESC 2026
Early next year, Malta’s national selection for Eurovision, the Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will take place in January. Over two nights, a Semi-Final will be held on January 15, with the Grand Final set for January 17. Tonight, TVM has revealed the 18 acts that will participate in the live Semi-Final:
- Franklin Calleja – ‘Guide You Home’
- Chess Galea – ‘Shout It Out’
- Liston Bongailas – ‘Mela’
- Kurt Anthony – ‘On The Borderline’
- Stefan Galea – ‘Pose’
- Ema – ‘Achikuku (Don’t Think About It)’
- Kelsy Attard – ‘Perfectly Broken’
- Adria Twins – ‘Nerġa’ Nqum’
- Kelsie Borg – ‘Let A Girl Breathe’
- Matthew Cilia – ‘Brutality Mentality’
- MATT BLXCK – ‘Ejja Lejja Ħdejjja ‘l Ħawn (The Flute)’
- Rhiannon Micallef – ‘Hold Myself Up’
- Mychael Bartolo Chircop – ‘My Sweet Angel’
- Aidan – ‘Bella’
- DENISE – ‘Trophy’
- Nathan Psaila – ‘Ganador’
- Mark Anthony Bartolo – ‘Mumenti Sbieh’
- Janice Mangion – ‘Univers’
During the live Semi-Final the combination of the viewer televotes and jury votes will decide the 12 acts that will compete in the MESC 2026 Grand Final to represent Malta on the Vienna stage at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 next May.
Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest
Malta first participated in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1971 with Joe Grech and his song, ‘Marija I-Malitja’, which finished in last place with 52 points. They also finished last on their second attempt in the contest in 1972. After a third appearance in 1975, Malta withdrew from the contest until 1991, when they returned and finished in sixth place with 106 points.
Since their return in 1991, Malta has finished in the top three on four occasions – Mary Spiteri with ‘Little Child’ in 1992 and Chiara with ‘The One That I Love‘ in 1998 which both finished in third place. Also, Ira Losco with ‘7th Wonder’ in 2002 and Chiara with ‘Angel’ in 2005, which both finished in second place. Thus, making the Mediterranean island one of the most successful to never win the contest outright.
Last year, Malta was represented by the MESC 2025 winner, Miriana Conte. During the Basel contest, ‘Kant’ finished in 17th place in the Grand Final with 91 points.
Who should represent Malta 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.
