TVR the Romanian national broadcaster has announced the return of Selecţia Naţională 2026 and the format details as it begins its search to find the act that will represent the Balkan nation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.
🇷🇴 TVR opens submissions for Selecţia Naţională 2026
Today, TVR the Romanian national broadcaster has announced its plans for the Romanian national selection for Eurovision 2026. Romania returns to the contest after a brief hiatus and in the process, has revived Selecţia Naţională 2026. Since 1993 Selecţia Naţională has been the main provider for Romania’s Eurovision artists. However an exception was made in 2021 when the 2020 artist was selected internally following the COVID-19 pandemic.
From today, artists and composers can submit songs for consideration. The submission window closes on February 2. The submissions must follow the TVR guidelines:
- One song per act.
- Composers may submit multiple entries – each song must be performed by a different act.
- Artists and composers may be of any nationality.
- The act must be over 16 or ideally 18+ as per EBU recommendations.
- Must not be released or performed before 1 September 2025.
- Three minute time rule.
- Six on stage.
- No controversial messaging in the lyrics of the composition.
- The song must be original with no use of AI.
Once the submission window closes, the acts will attend auditions on February 5 and February 6. Following the audition round, TVR will announce the competing acts for Selecţia Naţională 2026.
🇷🇴 Selecţia Naţională 2026 format details
Further to today’s announcement, TVR has confirmed more details on the format of Selecţia Naţională 2026. Between February 9 and February 11 the Semi-Final phase takes place. 10 acts will participate in the live Final on March 4. A jury only vote will determine the winner who will represent Romania on the Vienna stage later this May.
Romania at the Eurovision Song Contest
Out of 23 total participations, Romania has never won the Eurovision Song Contest, but has appeared in the Grand Final 19 times. Their best results are two third place finishes – with Luminița Anghel and Sistem ‘s ‘Let Me Try’ in 2005 and Paula Seling and Ovi’s ‘Playing With Fire’ in 2010.
At the Liverpool contest, Theodore Andre represented with the nation with, ‘D.G.T. (Off and On)’. He finished in 15th place in the second Semi-Final with the dreaded ‘nil points’. The first time this has happened in Romania’s history.
Who should represent Romania at Eurovision 2026? 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.
