NATIONAL SELECTIONS. Song submissions for Melodifestivalen 2026 — Sweden’s selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 — are open until September 12 at 11:59 CEST. In this article, we’ll explain how to submit songs and outline the most important rules.
Where can I submit songs?
As usual, Swedish Television (referred to here as SVT) has a digital song submission platform accessible via this link. It is open between Monday August 18 at 09:00 CEST to Friday September 12 at 11:59 CEST. SVT has no limits regarding the maximum amount of songs you can submit, however, there are some specific rules regarding who can submit songs. See our FAQ for more information.
What will Melodifestivalen 2026 look like?
According to the published rules, SVT will once again select Sweden’s Eurovision entry through the Melodifestivalen selection. Consistent with the format since 2002, a larger number of songs will compete in several heats before the Grand Final. As in the last two editions, SVT expects at least thirty songs to compete, with a smaller number in each heat. One of the songs in the Grand Final will be selected to represent Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, which will be held in Austria next spring.
Unlike previous Melodifestivalen editions, at least since 2002, the task of selecting the competition songs will be decided solely by a four-member team at SVT, which will consist of the two contests producer’s Karin Gunnarsson and Viktor Berglund together with the Melodifestivalen producers Lotta Furebäck and Daniel Edvardsson. However, in an intitial round, a jury appointed by SVT will listen to and evaluate submitted songs before they give their recommendations on which songs they think should be included in the selection. Following this, the Melodifestivalen editorial staff will make the final decision on which songs that will take part in Melodifestivalen 2026.
Until SVT has presented all the selected songs, all submitted entries are prohibited from being published. This rule remains in effect until all songs have been officially chosen. After that date, all non-competing entries return to their respective owners.
FAQ regarding the rules
Below is a summary of the most important rules. We always recommend that anyone planning to submit one or more songs reads the complete rules before submitting entries, especially the sections on copyright (points B7 to B18) and other conditions (points C1 to C4) that we have not covered in this FAQ.
General rules
Anyone can submit as many entries as they want to Melodifestivalen. However, you are not eligible to submit any songs if you are employed by or contracted for SVT, at least between August 1, 2025, and March 30, 2026.
A songwriting team can have an unlimited number of songwriters. Still, SVT has a rule that at least one person in each song writing team must be a Swedish citizen and/or have been registered in Sweden. For 2026, this registration must have been in effect no later than August 12, 2025. This rule does not, however, apply to the perfomer(s).
SVT also aims for at least half of the selected entries to have at least one female songwriter. This is, however, an encouragement, not a strict rule.
To participate in the competition, both songwriters and performers must respect SVT’s official marketing policy.
Requirements for competition entries
There are four mandatory requirements that each submitted entry must meet to be eligible for participation in Melodifestivalen 2026.
Only new-written non-previously released songs allowed
First, the submitted entry must be owned by the composer(s) and lyricists (i.e., the songwriter(s)), and the song cannot have been publicly released on any platform. According to the EBU’s rules, which SVT must also follow, an intended Eurovision entry cannot be published before September 1 of the year prior to the Eurovision Song Contest. For ESC 2026, your entry cannot have been published before September 1, 2025. For SVT’s purposes, the song is not allowed being published before the specific heat in which it might compete or the date SVT wants to release the song.
However, if an entry is accidentally released on a public platform before the deadline, SVT will thoroughly investigate the matter, including the intent behind the release. For example, a publication may have occurred by mistake, and SVT will not disqualify anyone if there was no intent.
It should also be noted that SVT has kept its rule that entries may be published the day before their live broadcast during the heats. However, the rules do not specify if songs that qualify for the Grand Final may continue to be publicly published after the preliminary rounds have ended.
The song must be performable in a maximum of three minutes
SVT requires that entries not exceed three minutes on stage, nor be shorter than two minutes. While shorter and longer demo versions are allowed in this stadium of the selection, if the song is selected for the competition, it must be adapted to fit this timeframe.
The song must have lyrics
The rules states that an entry must have some form of lyrics, whether it is sung and/or spoken. How much is up to your own interpretation of the rulebook.
Certain prohibited topics
The lyrics cannot contain any commercial, political, or religious words, expressions, or elements, nor can they include such gestures. Swear words are exempt, but if the song is selected as Sweden’s Eurovision entry for 2026, any swear words may need to be removed before the Eurovision Song Contest takes place.
Can anyone compete as a performer in Melodifestivalen?
The rules state that the performers on stage must be at least 16 years old to compete in Melodifestivalen. For this upcoming edition, this means the performer(s) must have been born no later than May 2010.
Performers do not need to be Swedish citizens or registered residents of Sweden to perform on stage.
Songwriter(s) have the right to suggest the performer (for example a solo singer, a duo or a music group) for the song; however, SVT has the final say. It’s also good to know that a demo singer can, if SVT wishes, be chosen as the performer for that song, though it’s not guaranteed.
How many people are allowed on stage?
In 2026, SVT are still allowing some extended rules for stage performances that differ from the Eurovision Song Contest. These rules are:
– An entry can have up to eight people on stage at the same time (the maximum is six in ESC).
– Pre-recorded backing vocals are allowed (only some are allowed in ESC).
– One instrument on stage can be played LIVE on stage (in ESC, instruments is only allowed as props).
Are there any language rules for the lyrics?
No, a Melodifestivalen entry can be performed in any language(s), and you can also submit multiple versions of the same song in different languages. If the song is selected, SVT will decide which language version will be used. This also applies to the selected winning entry in the Melodifestivalen Final that will represent Sweden in Eurovision 2026.
While the choice of language is free, SVT aims for about thirty percent of the songs in the lineup to be performed in Swedish. However, this number is not exact and can depend on the circumstances
Other important things to know
SVT owns the rights to the Melodifestivalen concept and has full authority over the rules. Therefore, they can rewrite, add, or remove rules at any time, as well as disqualify any entries, perfomers, or songwriters who violate the rules.
