Watch: Tonight at 20:15 CET, the first semi-final of “Dora 2026” takes place. Eight songs will secure their place in the final. A viewing link is provided.
The first semi-final of Dora 2026 will take place tonight at 20:15 CET, at the HTV studios in Zagreb and will be broadcast live on HTV, the HRTi platform, and the broadcaster’s website. During the show, 12 contestants will compete for eight spots in the final scheduled for Sunday, February 15th. The semi-final results will be determined solely by public voting, without jury involvement. The show will be hosted by Barbara Kolar, Duško Ćurlić, Iva Šulentić, and Ivan Vukušić.
To watch the first semi-final live from 20:15 to 22:20 CET – click here
The second semi-final is scheduled for Friday, February 13th, where eight additional contestants will secure their spots in the final on February 15th. At the end of the final, Croatia’s official entry for Eurovision 2026, in Vienna, Austria. will be selected.
First Semi-Final Contestants and Songs:
- Lima Len – “Raketa“
- Jasmina Makota – “Higher“
- Ananda – “Dora“
- Tony Sky – “O Ne!“
- Fran Uccellini – “Ako Bolje Bude Sutra“
- Ema Bubic – “Vrijeme Za Nas“
- Noelle – “Uninterrupted“
- Alan Duras – “From Ashes to Flame“
- Fenksta – “Memento Mori“
- Cold Snap – “Mucho Macho“
- ToMa – “Ledina“
- LELEK – “Andromeda“
Click on the song title to listen.
Among the contestants Are Many Familiar Names:
- LELEK competed in Dora 2025 with the song “The Soul of my Soul” and finished in fourth place.
- Alan Duras competed in Dora 2024 with the song “A Tamburitza Lullaby” and finished in fifth place.
- ToMa competed in Dora 2022 with the song “In the Darkness” and finished in seventh place.
- Fenksta competed in Dora 2025 with the song “Extra” and finished in ninth place.
- Ananda competed in Dora 2025 with the song “Lies Lay Cold” and finished in ninth place in the second semi-final.
“Dora 2026” Dates:
- Semi-Final 1 – Thursday, February 12th, 2026
- Semi-Final 2 – Friday, February 13th, 2026
- Grand Final – Sunday, February 15th, 2026
Metal Makes Its Return
If you’ve been searching for the spiritual successors to Baby Lasagna, eyes tonight are on the renowned groove-metal band Cold Snap. With their promisingly titled song “Mucho Macho,” the veteran band (active since 2003) brings to the stage the heavy, hard-hitting, and theatrical energy that Croatia has learned to love. Will “Mucho Macho” become the “Rim Tim Tagi Dim” of 2026? The odds look quite promising.
Will Budget Cuts Prevent Victory?
Last December, it was reported that HRT made a puzzling decision that could impact the selection process of Croatia’s Eurovision 2026 entry. Instead of leveraging the tremendous and historic momentum created by Baby Lasagna and investing additional resources to finally bring Eurovision to Zagreb, the production chose to tighten its budget. Reports indicated a significant budget cut for this year’s Dora and a departure from grandiose production values, raising serious concerns among fans and local media regarding the quality of the stage, filming, and sound that will be seen tonight in the studio.
The major question hovering over tonight’s broadcast is whether the Croatians are once again trying to rely on a “miracle” in the form of a charismatic artist who will save the homeland single-handedly (as Baby Lasagna did), or whether the broadcaster’s financial savings will cost them dearly and prevent them from achieving the victory they so desperately crave. The first answer will be given tonight during the live broadcast.
Croatia at Eurovision 2025
“Poison Cake” was the title of the song performed by Marko Bošnjak in the first semi-final of Eurovision 2025. Croatia failed to qualify for the grand final, breaking the country’s recent streak of success. The song finished 12th out of 15 entries in its semi-final, receiving a total of 28 points.
Eurovision 2026: This will be Croatia’s 31st participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Croatia joined the competition in 1993 and achieved its best result in Eurovision 2024 by finishing in second place with the song “Rim Tim Tagi Dim” performed by the singer Baby Lasagna.
Email: [email protected]
Roie is a journalist, content creator, and commentator specializing in the Eurovision Song Contest. His extensive knowledge and in-depth familiarity with the Eurovision world are reflected in every article, ensuring reliable, professional, and up-to-date content.
