Today, Yle the Finnish national broadcaster confirmed the running order positions for the seven acts competing in its Eurovision 2026 selection UMK26.
UMK26 running order
Yle has confirmed the running order for its Eurovision 2026 selection, UMK26. Opening the show on February 28 will be Komiat. Whilst, Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen will close out the main performances of the competing acts.
- Komiat – ‘Lululai’
- Etta – ‘Million Dollar Smile’
- Kiki – ‘Rakkaudenkipee’
- Antti Paalanen – ‘Takatukka’
- CHACHI – ‘Cherry Cake’
- Sinikka Monte – ‘Ready to Leave’
- Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen – ‘Liekinheitin’
UMK will once again be held over a single show, on the last day of February, on what will be a very packed Super Saturday of five finals (for Norway, Germany, Bulgaria and Italy, alongside Finland) as well as two qualification shows (the last heat of Melodifestivalen in Sweden, and the second semi-final of Portugal’s Festival da Canção).
The show will be held in the Nokia Arena in Tampere, and will be used to select the Finnish representative for Eurovision 2026, with a mix of jury (25%) and public (75%) voting.
Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest
Making their Eurovision debut in 1961 with the entry ‘Valoa Ikkunassa’ by Laila Kinnunen, Finland has not always found life in the contest easy. Finland didn’t have a smooth start at Eurovision, placing last three times in the 1960s. Marion Rung was Finland’s first success, placing 6th in 1973 with ‘Tom Tom Tom’ – this remained as Finland’s best result until 2006.
Before the turn of the millennium, Finland placed last a further five times while they placed in the top ten on only three occasions. Finally, their fortunes changed in 2006 when Lordi won the contest in Athens with ‘Hard Rock Hallelujah’ – their only victory to this date. Since the revamp to the UMK format the Nordic nation are on a five-year qualification streak and have achieved two top ten results, including runner-up in Liverpool 2023 for Käärijä with, ‘Cha Cha Cha’.
Last year it was the turn of Erika Vikman to represent Finland. During the Basel contest, Erika placed 11th and achieved 196 points with, ‘Ich Komme’.
Who should win UMK26? Let us know! Keep track of the latest news by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra.bsky.social on Bluesky, @escxtra on Instagram, @escxtra on TikTok, subscribing to YouTube and liking our Facebook page! Also, follow us on Spotify for the latest music from your favourite Eurovision acts.
