Following pressure from the Vidbir music producer, Ukrainian TV network Suspilne has changed the rules last second to include 6 more artists, bringing the final number of competitors in the early stages to 18.
Suspilne has announced that it has yielded to the request of the music producer and director of “Vidbir 2027”, Ukraine’s Eurovision pre-qualifier. The television network officially reported that it will be expanding the shortlist of candidates from 12 to 18 in accordance with Dmytro Shurov‘s push to give more artists a fair chance to reach the later stages of the pre-selection. Dmytro Shurov is the director and music producer for the upcoming edition of “Vidbir” and is working together with the TV network Suspilne to help choose the next Ukrainian representative for Eurovision 2027 in Burgas, Bulgaria.
Amid war: by the numbers
As per an analysis of the official submission data published on the competition website, no fewer than 217 applications were received for the pre-selection during the submission window from September 15th to November 2nd, 2026. The total number of artists was 201, consisting of 153 solo singers and 48 different bands. Now, though, the official screening stage has concluded, and a professional committee is currently creating the list of 18 songs that will advance to the next stage.
The road to the final: live auditions and a public wildcard
Sources have confirmed that after the 18 artists have been chosen, they will then go on to a series of intense live auditions with the production team, after which the candidates will be asked to sign a contract by November 24th. Next, just 6 artists will claim a spot in the final with a cut-off by December 4th, and the audience will actually have an opportunity to vote another artist from the 12 that did not pass to clinch a spot in the grand final. The publication of the full list of participants in the grand final will be announced no later than January 22, 2027, and the grand final will be held in February 2027 to crown the eventual winner of “Vidbir 2027” and the next representative for Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest.
The producer’s comeback
Experts in the industry suspect that Dmytro Shurov’s return to music producer may raise the level of songs in the competition. He previously accompanied the duo Tvorchi and “Heart of Steel” in 2023 with their 5th place finish, and did the same the following year for alyona alyona & Jerry Heil en route to 3rd place with “Teresa & Maria“.
Ukraine in Eurovision: notable achievements and a historical streak
Ukraine is among the most successful countries at Eurovision in the 21st century. It boasts three winners in its short history in the contest: the first one in 2004 (just one year after its debut) with Ruslana and “Wild Dances“, the second time from Jamala and “1944” in 2016, and most recently in 2022 with “Stefania” by Kalush Orchestra. Additionally, the country has finished in 2nd and 3rd twice each, and has never missed a final, the only country to hold this impressive accomplishment. All eyes are on Ukraine as they aim to continue their unbroken streak of attendance in the finals in search of their fourth win at the Eurovision Song Contest 2027.
Ridnym
UkraineLELÉKA represented Ukraine at Eurovision 2026 with “Ridnym”. The entry finished 9th in the grand final with 221 points.
Ukraine competed at Eurovision 21 times between 2003 and 2026. The country has won three times, most recently in 2022 with Kalush Orchestra’s “Stefania”. In 2026, LELÉKA represented Ukraine with “Ridnym”, finishing 9th in the grand final with 221 points.
