Albania’s national broadcaster RTSH will unveil the full list of participants in the 64th “Festivali i Këngës” tomorrow, October 13, ahead of Eurovision 2026
The preparations for Albania’s “Festivali i Këngës”, the national preselection for Eurovision, are in full swing, with the list of contestants set to be revealed tomorrow. This follows Albania’s confirmed participation in Eurovision 2026, which will take place in Vienna, Austria, after efforts by the national broadcaster RTSH to settle debts with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
Albania’s national broadcaster released a teaser video today (Sunday) on Instagram, announcing that the full list of participants in the festival will be revealed tomorrow, Monday, October 13, 2025. The video also showed cropped images of some contestants’ eyes adorned with Albania’s flag colors—red and black—sparking public curiosity about their identities.
הצגת פוסט זה באינסטגרם
Surge in Entries and Production Changes
The festival, now in its 64th consecutive edition, attracts numerous songwriters and performers. This year saw a remarkable rise in submissions, with over 100 songs received compared to 84 last year. The relative success of Shkodra Elektronike at Eurovision 2025 has rekindled public interest in the festival and Eurovision among Albanians.
Festival producer Belioza Çoku stated that all songs will undergo a strict review by a professional committee, which will reject entries created using artificial intelligence, aiming to preserve “the uniqueness and centuries-old tradition of the festival.” The full songs are expected to be released later in November.
Key Format Updates for the Festival
According to Elhaida Dani, the festival’s artistic director and Albania’s representative at Eurovision 2015, the winner destined for Eurovision 2026 will be chosen through a combination of jury and public votes (60% jury, 40% public), as in recent years.
For the first time, the public will be able to vote via a dedicated mobile application—an innovative step promising greater convenience and efficiency. Additionally, the festival’s production is being significantly upgraded, with plans for a larger, more impressive stage to celebrate the 64th edition. RTSH will also enhance the event’s exposure through podcasts and new TV programs, aiming to make the festival more accessible to viewers.
Notable Artists Expected to Participate
The full list will be announced tomorrow, but several established performers are already rumored to be returning to compete for Albania’s Eurovision ticket:
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Manjola Nallbani – has participated nine times (1989, 1992, 1993, 1995, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2017, and 2022), making the finals each time and winning in 1989, 1992, and 1993.
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Arilena Ara – won the festival with the song “Shaj” (in English: “Scream”) on December 19th, 2019, and was selected to represent Albania at Eurovision 2020 with the English version of the song, “Fall From The Sky“. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the contest was canceled, and Ara missed her chance to perform at Eurovision.
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Anxhela Peristeri – won the festival on December 23rd, 2020, with the song “Karma“. She represented Albania at Eurovision 2021 and finished in 21st place with 57 points.
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Pirro Cako – a prolific songwriter whose works have frequently been featured in the competition, won on December 25th, 1988, with the song “E Duam Lumturinë” (in English: “We Love Happiness”), performed by Parashqevi Simaku.
About “Festivali i Këngës”
Held annually since 1961, “Festivali i Këngës” became Albania’s Eurovision selection platform starting from its 43rd edition in 2004. It traditionally spans four nights: three competitive shows and one nostalgia-themed evening, reflecting strong public enthusiasm.
Over the years, the format evolved by adding public voting alongside jury deliberations, stirring debate over artistic merit versus popularity. In 2025, organizers reaffirmed that the festival winner would represent Albania at Eurovision, determined by a combined jury-public system.
As part of the festival rules, all contestants must perform in Albanian, though the winner may choose another language for their Eurovision performance. Participants must hold Albanian citizenship. Albania continues to uphold its cultural identity, regularly sending entries that reflect its musical style, traditions, and language.
Albania at Eurovision 2025
“Zjerm” (in English: “Fire”), performed by the duo Shkodra Elektronike, represented Albania at Eurovision 2025 in Basel, Switzerland. Albania qualified for the final from the first semi-final in second place with 122 points and finished eighth in the grand final with 218 points – 45 from the jury and 173 from the public.
Eurovision 2026: This will be Albania’s 22nd participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Albania joined the competition in 2004 and achieved its best result in Eurovision 2012 when singer Rona Nishliu reached fifth place with the song “Suus”.
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Noy Yehoyada is an Israeli journalist and content creator at the EuroMix team since 2024, bringing a personal, feminine, and LGBTQ+ voice into the Eurovision sphere. A devoted Eurovision fan since the age of 16, she plays an active role in covering the contest—including on-site reporting at Eurovision 2025 in Basel and across European pre-party events. Alongside her writing and commentary, Noy plans the editorial schedule for the website, closely tracks national selections and song reveals, participates in live broadcasts, and creates digital content focusing on representation, musical diversity, and emotional connections.
Beyond her work at EuroMix, Noy has over six years of experience in the cosmetics and pharma industries, with a background in sales, personal consulting, and managing beauty departments. She enjoys pop, rap, contemporary art, and traveling in Europe—and especially loves songs that make her want to dance, as well as those that tell a story.
