Montenegro: Representative and Song for Eurovision 2026 to Be Chosen on December 21st

The Montenegrin national broadcaster RTCG has revealed that the country’s representative and song for Eurovision 2026 will be chosen on December 21st, during the national selection “Montesong.” Unless surprises occur, Montenegro is expected to be the first country to unveil its Eurovision 2026 song, even before Albania—which usually chooses its entry in the final ten days of December.

Vladana Vučinić, Montenegro’s Eurovision 2022 representative and lead producer of “Montesong,” stated: “It’s true that ‘Montesong’ has become almost synonymous with Montenegro’s national pre-selection, but we see this festival as a platform to promote Montenegrin music and artists. All national broadcasters in our region invest even more money in similar festivals and selections, which also drive local music scenes forward. It’s a responsibility for Montenegro’s national broadcaster too.”

This year, “Montesong” is set to take place in RTCG studios, after being held in a large hall last year. Vučinić explained the idea of using the Podgorica arena was considered but ultimately dismissed for logistical and financial reasons. The country is experiencing a tighter budget season—partly due to last year’s disappointing Eurovision result—which has led to cost-cutting. The hope remains that Montenegro will outperform expectations, avoid further decline, and not withdraw from the contest again.

Rules for “Montesong 2025”:

RTCG revealed the regulations for the second edition of the contest, which will serve as the country’s pre-selection for Eurovision 2026:

• All songs must comply with the general Eurovision rules.

• Songs must not be published or performed before September 1st, 2025.

• Competing performers must hold Montenegrin citizenship.

• Songwriters may be of any nationality.

• Each songwriter can submit a maximum of two songs for consideration.

A committee composed of music creators and artists will select the entries for the competition. The list of chosen songs will be announced about ten days after the submission window closes. Songs may be submitted until October 3rd, about one month from today. The jury will score songs between 0 and 100 points across three categories: 50 points for composition, 30 points for lyrics, 20 points for staging potential. Only songs that achieve at least 75 points will qualify. Up to 16 songs will ultimately be selected for the national final.

The winner of “Montesong” will earn the right to represent Montenegro at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria. The voting in the national selection will be divided between a professional jury and the public, who will be able to cast their votes via SMS. RTCG also clarified that if it deems the quality of submissions too low, it reserves the right to internally select the entry instead. Additionally, the broadcaster maintains the right to replace the winner if necessary — something that was already enforced last year under different circumstances.

In 2024, for example, competition winners NeonoeN withdrew after suspicions arose that they had performed the song in September 2023. As a result, they were replaced by Nina Žižić.

RTCG’s Organizing Team says:

“Montesong is not just a music competition, it is a festival of creativity that gives new momentum to the domestic and regional scene. We want to hear new voices, but also to provide space for established musicians to show how rich and innovative the Montenegrin scene is”.

Montenegro in Eurovision: The Black Mountain and the Black Sheep

Montenegro is considered one of the most struggling nations in Eurovision. Out of 13 appearances, it has qualified for the Grand Final only twice – the lowest success rate except Andorra. In its debut in 2007, Montenegro sent Stevan Faddy with “Ajde, Kroci” to Helsinki, but failed to progress beyond the semi-final, finishing 22nd with 33 points. The country also failed to reach the final in 2008 and 2009 and withdrew in 2010 and 2011.

Montenegro returned in 2012 but again did not advance. The following year, the group Who See along with Nina Žižić also failed to qualify from the semi-finals. However, renewed optimism came in 2014, when Sergej Cetkovic and his song “Moj Svijet” finally reached the Grand Final, placing 19th. In 2015, Knez secured Montenegro’s best result to date – 13th place.

Since 2016, Montenegro’s results have declined, with the country failing to qualify in Stockholm, Kyiv, Lisbon, and Tel Aviv. Financial difficulties also forced Montenegro to withdraw from Eurovision 2020 and 2021. The 2022 comeback attempt with Vladana Vucinic ended in another semi-final exit, finishing 17th with 33 points. Persistent economic challenges kept Montenegro out in 2023 and 2024 as well. The country returned in 2025, but again failed to qualify for the final.

Montenegro in Eurovision 2025

“Dobrodošli” (in English: “Welcome”) is the title of the song performed by singer Nina Žižić, who finished in 16th and last place with only 12 points in the second semi-final of Eurovision 2025, held on May 15th in Basel, Switzerland.