Greece is gearing up for “Ethnikos Telikos 2026” with full force – and this year, major changes are on the way! Here are all the details about the process that will determine Greece’s entry for Eurovision 2026.
The Greek national broadcaster ERT has unveiled today (Wednesday) significant details regarding this year’s “Ethnikos Telikos”, through which the country’s entry for Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria, will be chosen. What changes are coming to the Greek national selection this year? And what will occur for the first time in the history of the Greek selection process? Find all the critical facts here.
Expanded Format: Major Changes in the Greek National Selection
Last year’s “Ethnikos Telikos” was a massive success within Greece and beyond, with the January 30th, 2025 broadcast achieving the highest TV ratings in Greece for 15 years. The contest’s winner, Klavdia, brought Greece an impressive sixth place at Eurovision 2025, matching the country’s 2013 achievement – one not matched until this year.
According to information we got from Eurovisionfun, the “Ethnikos Telikos” expands this year to include two Semi-Finals in addition to the Final. 28 songs will compete: 14 in each Semi-Final. The outcome in the Semi-Finals will be determined solely by the public, who will select seven qualifiers from each Semi-Final for the Final. In the Final, 14 entries will compete, with voting once again split 50-50 between juries – equally divided between a domestic and an international panel – and the public. According to the broadcaster:
“Through an upgraded and open-to-all process, including two Semi-Finals and one Final, ERT moves forward with selecting the song and artist that will represent our country in the 70th Eurovision Song Contest. This follows the successful organization of last January’s national final and Greece’s excellent 6th place at Eurovision 2025, which achieved record ratings of the last 15 years. Specifically, up to 28 songs will compete across two Semi-Finals, from which 14 will qualify for the National Final, decided exclusively by the public. In the National Final, the winning song will be determined by both the audience and the juries, granting the performer the ticket to Vienna, where the 70th Eurovision Song Contest will take place in May 2026”.
A More Open Selection Process for Greek Artists
For the first time in its national selection history, Greece will employ a process including more than one show – expanding to two Semi-Finals and a Final. This innovation provides more artists the opportunity to showcase their talent and compete for the right to represent Greece, shining a spotlight on the contemporary Greek music scene.
Recently, Greece has consistently moved towards a more open and transparent approach. Only last year did Greece return to a national final for Eurovision for the first time since 2003, in most intervening years, artists and songs were chosen internally through deals with record labels. The recent shift yielded a remarkable success – will Greece be able to replicate this achievement in 2026?
Entry Submission Window Now Open
The broadcaster announced today the submission window for “Ethnikos Telikos”, inviting interested parties to submit entries via the national broadcaster’s website. Submissions close on Sunday, November 2nd, 2025, at 22:59 CET, after which competing songs for Eurovision 2026 will be revealed.
Greece Balances Tradition and Innovation
Greece’s decision to begin early preparations and consider substantial changes in the selection format is deliberate. In an age when Eurovision is more than a song contest – embracing trends, fashion, and social messages – each country seeks the formula to stand out. In recent years, creative productions, a blend of tradition and innovation, and strong public involvement have influenced not only the chance of victory but also national pride and public engagement. With a rich musical heritage and a passionate fan base, Greece stands to benefit from early investment and openness – especially as Eurovision 2026 is set to be one of the most anticipated and technologically advanced editions ever, with record viewership and new interactive experiences expected.
Greece at Eurovision 2025
“Asteromáta” (translated as: “Eyes of Stars”) is the song performed by Klavdia, who represented Greece in the grand final of Eurovision 2025. Greece finished sixth in the grand final with 231 points.
Source: Eurovisionfun.
Eurovision 2026: This will be Greece’s 46th participation in Eurovision. Greece joined the competition in 1974 and achieved its best result in Eurovision 2005 when singer Helena Paparizou won first place with the song “My Number One”.
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Ilay Gaist is a leading Israeli content creator and writer specializing in the Eurovision Song Contest. He is a well-known commentator with extensive expertise in the contest’s history, rules, and dynamics. His passion for Eurovision drives him to deliver rich, professional, and innovative content to his audience.
Ilay holds a bachelor’s degree in Arabic and has a multilingual background. He also engages in cultural research, with a particular focus on global culinary traditions and the evolution of local cuisines around the world.
