by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed




Finland’s national broadcaster YLE has announced “UMK 26”, to be held in Tampere on February 28th, 2026. Song submissions open August 18th. Who will follow Erika or Käärijä?

Finland is gearing up for Eurovision 2026: the submission window for “Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu”, will open on August 18th, 2025, and the competition will take place on February 28th, 2026, at the Nokia Arena in Tampere, as announced by the Finnish national broadcaster YLE. Since 2012, Finland has chosen its representatives through this national selection, continuing a tradition that consistently produces musical sensations.

Opening the submission window early demonstrates just how seriously Finland takes Eurovision, giving participants ample time to prepare and refine their performances. Finland serves as an example of a country that has turned its pre-selection into a major cultural event, with broad influence on both the local and international music industries.




UMK 26 Rules: New Songs and Finnish Citizenship Requirements

The national broadcaster has published the full regulations for song submissions to the national selection. Here are some of the key rules:

  • Songs must not have been published publicly in any form.
  • Solo artists must be Finnish citizens or have permanent residency in Finland.
  • For bands, at least one member must be a Finnish citizen or have permanent residency in Finland.
  • Soloists or lead singers of bands may submit up to three songs, but only one can be selected for the final.
  • Other band members, songwriters, and composers may submit and compete with as many songs as they wish.
  • If a song is selected for the final, the final version must be submitted to YLE by October 31st.

UMK is renowned for its innovation, musical boldness, and cultural richness. In recent years, the stage has featured songs in Finnish, Swedish, English, and German – a range of languages that highlights Finland’s multiculturalism. The competition rules allow for almost total creative freedom, often resulting in bizarre, provocative, or highly experimental performances – one reason why the Finnish pre-selection is considered one of the most intriguing events in the Eurovision world. This is also why Finland enjoys a passionate fan community that follows the contest year-round.

Behind the Scenes: Local Artists Gain International Exposure

YLE’s investment in the pre-selection extends beyond broadcasting to include artist support, high-quality productions, and international promotion. Last year, YLE announced budget cuts and broadcast Eurovision from its own studios rather than the host city, yet emphasized the importance of maintaining production quality and viewer experience. According to industry sources, the decision to open submissions early was made to give artists more time to create, promote, and perfect their performances—a move that strengthens both competitiveness and artistic standards.

The economic and social impact of Eurovision on Finland is undeniable: the contest brings global exposure, boosts tourism, and encourages international collaborations. In recent years, Finnish representatives such as Käärijä, who represented the country at Eurovision 2023, and Erika Vikman, Finland’s 2025 representative, have become cultural ambassadors, promoting Finland as a contemporary music powerhouse.

Looking Ahead: A New Season of Finnish Boldness

Finland continues to establish itself as a musical and cultural powerhouse unafraid to push boundaries. The local pre-selection, UMK, has become a unique experimental arena where music, identity, and performance meet—often with surprising intensity. Early preparations for Eurovision 2026 not only signal a drive for excellence but also invite future creators to innovate, take risks, and perhaps ignite the international stage. The big question remains: will we see the next successor to Käärijä or Erika Vikman?




Finland at Eurovision 2025

“Ich Komme” (in English: “I Am Coming”) is the song performed by Erika Vikman, who represented Finland in the Eurovision 2025 Grand Final. Finland qualified for the Grand Final after placing third in the second semi-final with 115 points. In the Grand Final, Finland finished 11th with a total of 196 points, placing ninth in the public vote with 108 points and tenth in the jury vote with 88 points.

Eurovision 2025: This was Finland’s 58th participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Finland joined the competition in 1961 and achieved its best result in Eurovision 2006, winning the contest with Lordi and their song “Hard Rock Hallelujah”.