The confetti has barely settled on Eurovision 2025 and Finland’s broadcaster Yle has already switched focus to the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Austria next May. Once again the Finnish broadcaster will return to Tampere for UMK26.
UMK26 submissions open in August
Next February the national selection for Finland’s Eurovision representative will return. On February 28 UMK26 will be held in the Nokia Arena in Tampere. This marks the third occasion in which the selection has taken place in the city. Applications for song submissions will open in August with further details on artists and selection process to follow in the coming months.
“The role of UMK is significant in the Finnish music scene. We are really happy to have competition in our city again, as the city is investing in the development of the preconditions for the local music industry in the coming years.”
Maiju Viiki, (City of Tampere Project Manager of Experience Management).
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’.
This 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’.
