Cypriot national broadcaster CyBC has confirmed Cyprus’ participation in Eurovision 2026, to be held in Austria. Cyprus is expected to select its entry again through an internal selection.
The Cypriot national broadcaster CyBC has officially announced that Cyprus will participate in Eurovision 2026, which will be hosted in Austria. Cyprus becomes the 22nd country to express interest in joining Eurovision 2026, following Albania, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the host country, Austria.
The Cypriot national broadcaster CyBC has officially started preparations for Eurovision 2026 in Austria. The broadcaster is pursuing an internal selection process to choose an experienced artist, abandoning the option of a public national final – a decision influenced by budget limitations and high expectations for success. After two years of fluctuating results and a disappointing finish in Eurovision 2025, CyBC aims to focus on professionalism and proven skill by starting preparations early.
National Final or Internal Selection?
Immediately following the unexpected outcome of Eurovision 2025, CyBC engaged in internal discussions about the best approach for next year’s contest. According to the Greek Eurovision news site Eurovisionfun, there was initial consideration of holding a Cypriot national final. However, this plan was ultimately dropped due to CyBC’s approved budget for 2026, which is insufficient to cover the costs of producing a national final alongside other essential expenses related to participation.
Every year, the Cypriot delegation allocates funds specifically to collaborate with leading industry professionals in order to produce a compelling live performance. This goal requires careful financial management within a small country like Cyprus, where funding sources are limited.
How Will Cyprus’s Representative for Eurovision 2026 Be Selected?
For 2026, CyBC will continue the internal selection method for both the artist and the song that will represent Cyprus at the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in May, hosted in Austria. A major change this year is reported by Eurovisionfun: over the summer, CyBC reached out to record labels in Greece and Cyprus inviting them to propose candidates for representation. Industry sources revealed that all contacted labels submitted experienced and well-known artists who aspire to represent the country in this popular competition. No official names or further details have been disclosed yet, but the industry expects CyBC to announce its decision soon, consistent with its practice in recent years.
Aim for an Experienced Artist?
After three consecutive years of selecting young and talented artists from Cyprus and abroad, 2026 appears set to be the year Cyprus opts for a more experienced and established artist. The chosen artist will be entrusted with continuing Cyprus’s impressive Eurovision streak and maintaining the high standards set.
Cyprus in Eurovision 2025
“Shh” is the song performed by Theo Evan, who represented Cyprus at Eurovision 2025 in Basel, Switzerland. The song, performed in English, finished 11th in the first semi-final with 44 points and did not qualify for the final – marking the first non-qualification for Cyprus since Eurovision 2022.
Source: Eurovisionfun.
