Record in Finland: 491 Songs Submitted for UMK 2026!

Record in Finland: 491 Songs Submitted for UMK 2026!

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Finland’s national broadcaster YLE reveals that 491 songs have been submitted for "UMK 2026". Hints about participants were published, with the full list to be revealed on January 14th. Finland’s national broadcaster YLE reveals new details about UMK 2026. The broadcaster announced that the competition will take place on February 28th, 2025, at the Nokia Arena in Tampere, Finland’s third-largest city. It was also disclosed that a record 491 songs were submitted this year, six more than last year, marking the highest number since the selection adopted its current format in 2020. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Finland's Songs Submissions Reach a Record High In recent years, Finland’s national broadcaster has reported a consistent rise in submissions for UMK: UMK 2026 – 491 songs UMK 2025 – 485 songs UMK 2024 – 419 songs UMK 2023 – 363 songs UMK 2022 – 312 songs UMK 2021 – 278 songs UMK 2020 – 426 songs The broadcaster also...
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Will Finland Join the Boycott of Israel at Eurovision 2026?

Will Finland Join the Boycott of Israel at Eurovision 2026?

by Neta Geffen Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Debate over Finland’s participation in Eurovision 2026 intensifies after several European countries announced a boycott if Israel competes. What is the position of Finland’s national broadcaster YLE on the matter? In the past week, several countries announced they would not participate in Eurovision 2026 if Israel remains in the competition. Slovenia, Ireland, and the Netherlands declared they will withdraw from Eurovision 2026 if Israel compete, while Iceland and Spain hinted they may join the boycott. Although Finland had already confirmed its participation, the Finnish national broadcaster YLE has now issued a statement following these latest developments. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Will Finland Compete Alongside Israel? Johanna Törn-Mangs, Editor-in-Chief of YLE’s Culture Department, explained in an interview that a final decision on Finland’s participation will be made by mid-December. "YLE is an independent and neutral body. We are not engaged in politics at the state level. However, this of course does not mean we accept...
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Finland: Song Submission Window Opens for UMK

Finland: Song Submission Window Opens for UMK

by Neta Geffen Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Finland officially opened song submissions today for UMK 2026, following confirmation of its Eurovision participation. Who will follow in the footsteps of Erika Vikman or Käärijä? Finland is preparing for Eurovision 2026: The process of selecting Finland’s entry officially began today (Monday), with the song submission window for UMK 2026 now open. Since 2012, UMK has been the platform used by the country to choose both its song and artist for Eurovision. The submission period will close on August 24th – exactly six days from now. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Who Can Compete in the UMK 2026? The national broadcaster has published the full rules for song submissions to UMK. Here are some of the key regulations: Songs must not have been previously released in any public format. Solo artists must be Finnish citizens or hold permanent residency in Finland. For bands, at least one member must be a Finnish citizen or permanent resident. Soloists or lead singers...
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Duncan Laurence Breaks Record: “Arcade” Is Eurovision’s Most-Streamed Song

Duncan Laurence Breaks Record: “Arcade” Is Eurovision’s Most-Streamed Song

by Noy Yehoyada Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); With over 1.4 billion Spotify streams, "Arcade" leads Eurovision’s all-time charts - discover the the top songs dominating global Spotify and YouTube play counts. The song "Arcade" by Dutch artist Duncan Laurence, the Eurovision 2019 winner, has become the most-streamed song in Eurovision Song Contest history, exceeding 1.4 billion Spotify streams. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); From TV Event to Streaming Powerhouse: The Evolution of Eurovision Recent data confirm Eurovision’s transformation from a contest evaluated by juries and public voting into an international sensation measured by streams, views, Instagram Reels, and TikTok content. For nearly a decade, releasing a Eurovision song has been a full-scale digital marketing endeavor - Spotify plays, Instagram trends, and YouTube views now play a role as significant as the live performance itself. Duncan Laurence has set an almost unreachable standard for future contestants. Close behind is "Snap" by Armenian artist Rosa Linn, which has accumulated more than 1.2 billion Spotify streams - even though it finished only 20th in...
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Who Will Be the Next Käärijä? Finland Opens Song Submission Window for UMK!

Who Will Be the Next Käärijä? Finland Opens Song Submission Window for UMK!

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Finland’s national broadcaster YLE has announced "UMK 26", to be held in Tampere on February 28th, 2026. Song submissions open August 18th. Who will follow Erika or Käärijä? Finland is gearing up for Eurovision 2026: the submission window for "Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu", will open on August 18th, 2025, and the competition will take place on February 28th, 2026, at the Nokia Arena in Tampere, as announced by the Finnish national broadcaster YLE. Since 2012, Finland has chosen its representatives through this national selection, continuing a tradition that consistently produces musical sensations. Opening the submission window early demonstrates just how seriously Finland takes Eurovision, giving participants ample time to prepare and refine their performances. Finland serves as an example of a country that has turned its pre-selection into a major cultural event, with broad influence on both the local and international music industries. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); UMK 26 Rules: New Songs and Finnish Citizenship Requirements The...
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“I Will Not Return to Eurovision”: Erika Vikman Criticizes Public Voting for Israel

“I Will Not Return to Eurovision”: Erika Vikman Criticizes Public Voting for Israel

by Nitsan Eliraz Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Finland in Eurovision 2025: Erika Vikman vents frustration-criticizing the public vote for Israel, the media, and addressing whether she plans to return to Eurovision. In an interview stirring both Finnish and international media, Erika Vikman, Finland's representative for Eurovision 2025 with the song "Ich Komme," who finished 11th in the grand final with 196 points, publicly addressed the results of the grand final held in Basel, Switzerland-particularly the significant number of votes received by Israel's representative. In an interview conducted upon her return to Helsinki, Vikman did not hold back, expressing clear frustration with the outcome, including personal criticism toward the media and the Israeli audience. Vikman landed at Helsinki airport late Sunday night, where journalists and local media representatives awaited her. According to her, the feelings were mixed: "I feel grateful and relieved," Vikman described her mood. She added that she had hoped for a higher placement in the final: "Of course, it was disappointing that we didn't even make it...
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The Story of Erika Vikman – The Dark Horse Climbing the Betting Odds!

The Story of Erika Vikman – The Dark Horse Climbing the Betting Odds!

by Nitsan Eliraz Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Finland in Eurovision 2025: Erika Vikman climbs to fourth place in the betting odds and accelerates towards the final. What message does she send her fans, and which prominent Eurovision artist helps promote her song? The Finnish singer Erika Vikman achieved great success in the semi-finals, captivating the European audience with a particularly iconic performance. Erika delivers a show brimming with charisma and overflowing self-confidence, and the results are evident: today, she ranks fourth in the betting odds. Although her song deals with an intimate and sexual experience-drawing criticism from the European Broadcasting Union and only partial support from home-it seems she has managed to win over fans across Europe with her unapologetic authenticity. Just hours before she takes the stage for the last time at Eurovision 2025 in Basel, Switzerland, with her song "Ich Komme," she published a heartfelt post dedicating her song. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); An Empowering Message to Fans Precisely because of the challenges Erika faced...
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Finland Confirms Participation in Eurovision 2026

Finland Confirms Participation in Eurovision 2026

by Maayan Eli Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Finnish national broadcaster has announced that the national selection show "Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu" (UMK), which has been used to select Finland’s Eurovision representatives since 2012, will once again be held next year. YLE, the Finnish national broadcaster, has confirmed that Finland’s entry for Eurovision 2026 will be chosen through the local pre-selection show "Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu," or UMK for short, for the 15th consecutive year. The selection show will take place on February 28, 2026, at Nokia Arena in the city of Tampere. This will be the third consecutive year that Nokia Arena hosts UMK. Additional details will be provided at a later date. Finland is the second country to confirm its participation in Eurovision 2026; the Netherlands, in fact, already announced their participation back in April. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); UMK’s Growing Popularity and Finland’s Recent Eurovision Success In recent years, the Finnish national selection has enjoyed great popularity and has brought Finland significant...
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Finland’s Second Rehearsal: Erika Vikman Takes the Eurovision 2025 Stage

Finland’s Second Rehearsal: Erika Vikman Takes the Eurovision 2025 Stage

by Maayan Eli Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Finland in Eurovision 2025: Singer Erika Vikman took the stage for her second rehearsal with the song “Ich Komme”. Stay updated with all the reports from Basel, Switzerland… Finnish singer Erika Vikman is the seventh contestant to rehearse today on the Eurovision 2025 stage in Basel, Switzerland, with the song “Ich Komme”. Erika Vikman will perform as song number 16 in the second semi-final, which will take place on May 15th in Basel. This year’s competition features 37 countries. In the released video, Erika’s performance has not changed much from the Finnish national final, UMK. Erika is dressed in an updated version of her outfit from the national selection-a black latex and leather bodysuit with high black boots that reach mid-thigh. During the performance, there is a lot of smoke on stage, which is colored by the stage lights. The LED floor remains white and creates a runway between the stages, and Erika walks on it with determined steps....
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Finland’s First Rehearsal: Erika Vikman Takes the Eurovision 2025 Stage

Finland’s First Rehearsal: Erika Vikman Takes the Eurovision 2025 Stage

by Maayan Eli Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Finland in Eurovision 2025: Singer Erika Vikman took the stage for her first rehearsal with the song “Ich Komme”. Stay updated with all the reports from Basel, Switzerland… Finland was the eighth and final country to hold a rehearsal for Eurovision 2025 today with a - performance. Finnish singer Erika Vikman is the eighth contestant to rehearse today on the Eurovision 2025 stage in Basel, Switzerland, with the song “Ich Komme”. Erika Vikman will perform as song number 16 in the second semi-final, which will take place on May 15 in Basel. This year’s competition features 37 countries. The performance closely resembles what was seen in the Finnish national final, UMK, but on a larger and more intense scale. Erika Vikman begins on a gold circular stage, echoing the visual style of her music video. After the first verse and chorus, she grabs her microphone and quickly walks to the front stage with the frame. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (adsbygoogle...
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