The Swiss national broadcaster confirms it will select its Eurovision 2026 representative through an internal process, as in previous years since 2019. Song submissions open on August 4th.
Switzerland has officially announced the launch of its selection process for its Eurovision 2026 representative, to be held in Austria. The national broadcaster is inviting artists, songwriters, and producers to submit entries between August 4th and August 25th, 2025. Following impressive achievements in recent years, including a victory and hosting Eurovision 2025 in Basel, Switzerland aims to continue making a strong impression on the fan community and international media. For Switzerland, this marks the continuation of a rich musical tradition on the European stage and the reinforcement of its status as a significant force in the contest.
Internal Selection Process and International Collaboration
The Swiss representative for Eurovision 2026 will once again be chosen through a combined mechanism involving a Swiss audience, an international audience, and a panel of experts – a model that has proven effective in recent years. The decision will be made in stages, in collaboration with the country’s four main broadcasting organizations (SRF, RTS, RSI, RTR), and with the support of the research institute YouGov. This process is designed to ensure a professional, diverse, and relevant selection – one that reflects the spirit of the times and the evolving tastes of the Eurovision audience.
This approach further strengthens Switzerland’s position as a European music powerhouse: since 2019, the country has recorded notable achievements, including fourth place for Luca Hanni, third place for Gjon’s Tears, a historic win for Nemo, and a successful home performance by Zoë Më. According to the head of the Swiss delegation, Yves Schifrele:
“Recent successes have demonstrated Switzerland’s creative potential, and we intend to continue strengthening local music on the international stage”.
Behind the Scenes: Selection Process, Criteria, and Outlook
Submissions for Switzerland’s Eurovision 2026 entry are open to artists, songwriters, and producers, but not to the general public. The selection will follow a multi-stage model: evaluation by a Swiss audience, an international audience, and a panel of 25 Eurovision experts who have previously judged in past contests. This model, which was successfully implemented this year, ensures a balance between local preferences and global trends – enhancing Switzerland’s chances of standing out in the competition.
The early announcement of the submission window and the emphasis on a professional selection process put Switzerland in an excellent position ahead of Eurovision 2026. In recent years, the country has managed to combine musical tradition, innovation, and a deep understanding of the Eurovision audience, propelling itself to the forefront of the European stage. The success of Nemo, alongside impressive performances by local artists, has made Switzerland a focal point for producers and creators from across the continent.
While many countries are still debating their selection methods, Switzerland presents a stable, transparent, and data-driven model – one that serves as an inspiration for other nations. Switzerland’s investment in combining audience input, expert opinion, and musical innovation could lead to further achievements, and perhaps even another victory at Eurovision 2026 in Austria.
Switzerland at Eurovision 2025
“Voyage” is the title of the song performed by Zoë Më, who represented Switzerland in the grand final of Eurovision 2025, held in Basel, Switzerland. Switzerland finished tenth in the final with 214 points – all awarded by the jury. Switzerland ranked second among the juries, but received last place from the public, with zero points.
Since the change in the selection process in 2019, Switzerland has consistently achieved relative success and has regularly qualified for the grand final of the contest.
Eurovision 2025: This was Switzerland’s 65th participation in Eurovision. Switzerland joined the contest in 1956, was one of the seven founding countries, and has won three times over the years. Switzerland’s most recent victory was at the last Eurovision, 2025, with Nemo and the song “The Code”. This win follows Switzerland’s previous victory in 1988 with the song “Ne partez pas sans moi”, performed by the international singer Céline Dion.
