Georgian national broadcaster GPB has announced that it confirms its participation in Eurovision 2026, which will be held in Vienna, Austria.

Georgian national broadcaster, GBP has confirmed that the country will participate in Eurovision 2026, to be held in Vienna, Austria. Georgia becomes the 34th country to express interest in joining Eurovision 2026, following following Albania, Australia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the host country, Austria.

A message of support to the Israeli participation in the Eurovision Song Contest was added in Georgia’s confirmation of participation.

Georgia’s Eurovision History: Early Success and Long-term Decline

Georgia has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 16 times, never winning, and was absent once. Another planned participation in Eurovision 2020 was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Initially considered a successful and consistent participant, Georgia achieved 12th place in its debut in 2007 and 11th place the following year. In 2010 and 2011, Georgia reached its highest placement to date – ninth place. However, since Eurovision 2012, Georgia’s performance has been inconsistent, with a low point of seven consecutive years failing to qualify for the final between 2017 and 2023.

Georgia’s only voluntary absence was in 2009, when it made a controversial decision to select Stephane and 3G with the song “We Don’t Wanna Put In.” The song sparked controversy for allegedly mocking Russia, the host country, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, following the recent conflict between the two countries over South Ossetia. Georgia refused to change the song, withdrew from the competition, and declined to broadcast it.

After four consecutive years in the left side of the scoreboard, Georgia began its decline process. In Eurovision 2012, singer Anri Jokhadze ended Georgia’s run by finishing 14th in the second semi-final, marking the country’s first failure to reach the final. Eurovision 2014 saw an unusual result for Georgia when The Shin & Mariko became the first Georgian representatives to finish last in the second semi-final, a feat that would be repeated in 2018 and 2022. Eurovision 2015 brought hope for Georgia with an 11th place finish in the final, and in Eurovision 2016, Georgia surprised everyone by qualifying for the final against all predictions and securing 20th place.

Following Eurovision 2016, Georgia entered a slump, recording seven consecutive years of poor performance in the contest, failing to reach the final even once. In Eurovision 2017 held in Kyiv, Ukraine, singer Tamara Gachechiladze and her song “Keep The Faith” marked Georgia’s third non-qualification, finishing 11th in the first semi-final. This trend continued with Ethno Jazz Band Iriao in Lisbon, Oto Nemsadze in Tel Aviv, Tornike Kipiani in Rotterdam, Circus Mircus in Turin, and Iru Khechanovi in Liverpool, all of whom failed to qualify for the final.

In Eurovision 2024 Nutsa Buzaladze represented Georgia and qualified for the final for the first time in 7 years, the year after, Georgia went back to not qualifying with Mariam Shengelia in Basel.

Eurovision 2026: This will be Georgia’s 18th participation in Eurovision. Georgia joined the competition in 2007 and achieved its best result in Eurovision 2010 and Eurovision 2011 after finishing ninth twice.