The semi‑finals and nostalgia night are behind us: 23 contestants qualified tonight to the grand final of Albania’s “Festivali i Këngës 64”, taking place today (Saturday), where Albania’s entry for Eurovision 2026 will be chosen.
“Festivali i Këngës 64” is approaching its conclusion, with the grand final taking place tonight (Saturday). The winner of the grand final will represent Albania at Eurovision 2026, set to be held in May in Vienna, Austria. After two semi-finals, 23 songs have officially qualified for the final stage of the competition.
To watch the Nostalgia Night — click on the screen below!
Watch the first semi final here
Watch the second semi final here
The finalists were revealed at the end of “Nata e Nostalgjisë” (Nostalgia Night). Unlike previous editions, which featured duets with former festival artists, this year’s evening was dedicated to the renowned songwriters and poets who have shaped the festival throughout its history. The night featured emotional performances of songs that have become classics and left a lasting mark on the legacy of the festival.
The grand final will once again be held at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana and will be hosted by Salsano Rrapi alongside singer Arilena Ara, who was selected to represent Albania at Eurovision 2020. The Albanian entry for Eurovision 2026 will be determined through a combination of votes: 50% from the jury, 25% from SMS voting within Albania and neighboring countries, and another 25% from international online votes via a dedicated application.
List of Finalists in “Festivali i Këngës 64”:
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Gerta Mahmutaj – Në krahët e tu
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LYNX – Nuk kthehem pas
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Frensi – Tresh
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Evi Reçi – Kodi i jetës
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Rezarta Smaja – Balukeprera
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Rigersa Loka- Albanian Heart
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Vedat Ademi – Kur fjala mbaron
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Erik Lloshi – Dy pika dashuri
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Kleansa Susaj – Hije
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Sara Kapo – Të dua shumë
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Sheila – Zemra e tokës
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Savjana Vjerdha – ID
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2Farm – Valle mbi hi
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Kamela Islamaj – Pa pretendime
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Gresa Gjocera & Bledi Kaso – Busulla e zemrë
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Inis Neziri – Ta kam fal
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Lorenc Hasrama – Lamtumirë
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Endri Kaçaçi – Si Unë
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Luna Çausholli – Pa kufij
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Alis – Nân
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!Ghiti – Okej
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Enxhi Nasufi – Dritë
- Fifi & Tiri Gjoci – Rri
Click any song title to listen!
Among the Finalists – Many Familiar Names:
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Alis – Participated last year with the song “Mjegull”, finishing in third place.
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Enxhi Nasufi – a well-known Albanian singer who took part in the 59th edition, serving as the 2021 national selection, with the song “Njesoj”.
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Fifi & Tiri Gjoci – A duo, each of whom has previously participated individually. Fifi competed in 2023 with “Stop”, and Tiri Gjoci in 2020 with “Me goten bosh”.
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Rezarta Smaja – Took part with “E jemja nuse“, composed by this year’s representatives Shkodra Elektronike, in the 2022 selection, placing third.
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Lorenc Hasrama – Performed with the song “Fryme” last year, reached the final, and placed fifth.
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Inis Neziri – Competed several times, with “Pendese” in 2021 and “Piedestal” in 2018, the latter securing third place.
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Evi Reçi – A well-known festival participant who has entered numerous times.
Other past participants who placed lower include Sara Kapo, Greta Gjocera & Bledi Kaso, Kleansa Susaj, and LYNX.
“Festivali i Këngës 64” Dates:
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First Semi-Final – Wednesday, December 17th, 2025. -
Second Semi-Final – Thursday, December 18th, 2025. -
Nostalgia Night – Friday, December 19th, 2025. -
Grand Final – Saturday, December 20th, 2025.
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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Neta Geffen is a respected journalist at Euromix, Israel’s leading news site for Eurovision coverage. Since 2010, Neta has been closely following the Eurovision Song Contest, bringing with him extensive experience, profound knowledge, and a broad understanding of the history, politics, and cultural influences that shape the event every year.
Neta publishes articles, analyses, and up-to-date reviews on all Eurovision developments, including musical trends, format changes, political influences, and audience reactions across Europe and Israel. Thanks to a deep connection to the contest’s history, Neta provides readers with wide-ranging context—from the impact of political events on results, to in-depth analyses of songs and languages within the competition. Neta specializes particularly in the Eurovision rock genre, Balkan ballads, and native language entries, with a special focus on Italian and Greek songs.
