MELODIFESTIVALEN 2027. Sveriges Television (SVT) in Sweden has released the contest setup and rules for the next edition of the Swedish Eurovision selection, Melodifestivalen. In this article, we present all details regarding next winter’s edition.
This is the English version of the Swedish article.
What is the format?
According to the published rules, SVT will once again use the so-called ”heat method”, i.e., they will broadcast a number of pre-shows where the finalists will be decided. Approximately thirty songs will be taking part, however, the number of heats has not yet been announced. Once the heats are completed, the Grand Final will take place where the Melodifestivalen winner, i.e., the Swedish representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2027, will be decided. More information regarding the voting rules in the shows will be presented at a later date during the season.
In the current situation (August 2026), SVT has opened the submission window for interested songwriters and artists to submit entries. The submission window is open digitally via this link until September 11, at 11:59 CEST. To submit entries, create an account and upload all required information. When the submission window has closed, a jury will review and evaluate the entries, and recommend to SVT which entires they think should take part in the contest. However, it is a Melodifestivalen team at SVT who has the final say regarding which entries will take part.
The line-up will most likely be presented in late 2026.
Rules and Regulations (Q&A)
Below is a summary of key regulations.
General
– Anyone is eligible to submit entries for Melodifestivalen 2027. However, if you are employed or contracted by Sveriges Television between August 21, 2026 and March 30, 2027 you cannot take part in the Swedish ESC-selection. – At least one member of each songwriting team must either hold Swedish citizenship and/or be a registered resident in Sweden (no later than 21 August 2026). – A competing artist may hold any nationality and does not need to be a registered resident in Sweden to perform on stage. However, if you as a singer are also the only songwriter to the song, you must either hold Swedish citizenship and/or be a registered resident in Sweden (no later than 21 August 2026). – SVT has an ambition that at least fifty percent of the selected entries should feature at least one female songwriter per entry. – All songwriters and artists must comply with SVT’s marketing policy.
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What requirements apply to competing entries?
SVT specifies four main requirements for each submitted entry. All conditions must be met for a song to be eligible to take part in Melodifestivalen 2027.
Only original works are permittedOnly newly written original works that have never been made public are permitted to take part in the selection. This applies regardless of platform. SVT decides when the entry may be published publicly. If an entry has been publicly released in any format prior to September 1, 2026, it cannot compete in the Eurovision Song Contest 2027. However, in the event that an entry has been partially or fully published prior to SVT’s official date, SVT will conduct an investigation into the matter. Disqualification will not be applied automatically without proof of intent; if intent is absent, the entry may still be permitted to compete. It is also worth noting that if a submitted song is not selected for 2027, it may only be resubmitted in future years PROVIDED it remains unreleased on public platforms.
Performances must not exceed three minutesSVT says that no selected entry may exceed three minutes on stage, nor be shorter than two minutes. Demo songs can be longer or shorter versions, however, if selected, the entry must be adjusted to fit the timeframe.
Lyrics are mandatoryAll entries must contain some form of lyrics regardless if it is sung or spoken. However, the quantity of the lyrics remains at the discretion of the songwriters.
Lyrics content restrictionsLyrics may not contain any form of commercial, political, or religious words, expressions, or accompanying gestures. Profanity may be excluded from initial requirements, but may need to be removed if the entry will represent Sweden at Eurovision 2027. Inappropriate or obscene song titles may be rejected.
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Who is eligible to compete as an artist in Melodifestivalen?
Firstly, singers who will take part on Melodifestivalen stage, must have been born no later than May 2009. Consequently, only people aged 18 or older may compete. An exception may be granted for 17-year-olds who, however, will turn 18 prior to the Eurovision stage rehearsals in early May. This may apply regardless of whether the singer will compete for Sweden or not. The answer to the second part of the question is that it is SVT who decides which artist (solo/duo/group) should perform each song. The songwriters may suggest their choice, yet SVT holds sole authority over the choices. You should also know that SVT retains the right to replace artists or disqualify entries if an agreement cannot be reached with the songwriters regarding the performer. This condition also extends to Eurovision 2027 representation.
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Any rules regarding the stage performances?
Each stage performance may feature: – A maximum of eight people on stage. – Pre-recorded backing vocals (provided they do not ’overshadow’ lead vocals). – One LIVE instrument featured on stage. All other instruments present on stage must serve strictly as props. Please note that these rules differ from standard Eurovision regulations, where stage limits are restricted to a maximum of six people, and live instruments are not permitted except as props. Pre-recorded backing vocals are, however, allowed for ESC 2027 under the same terms as in Melodifestivalen. If any aspect of the winning performance conflicts with Eurovision rules, the staging must be adapted accordingly ahead of the contest in Bulgaria 2027.
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Are there language restrictions for Melodifestivalen 2027 entries?
No, there are none. This means that entries in Melodifestivalen may be performed in any language. Unless SVT specifies otherwise, the language used in the submission must be used in the live contest which also applies to the winning entry representing Sweden at Eurovision 2027. During the submission phase, songwriters may submit multiple language versions of the same track. You should also know that SVT aims for some representation of songs performed in Swedish. How many songs will be sung in Swedish has not been decided but an ambition is at least thirty percent of the selected entries.
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What additional regulations should be noted?
We always recommend everyone who wants to submit entries to Melodifestivalen to review the full official rulebook—particularly sections addressing copyright (clauses B7 to B17) and general terms and conditions (clauses C1 to C4), which are not fully detailed in this summary. Finally, SVT holds all rights to the Melodifestivalen rules and reserves the right to amend, add, or remove rules at any time, as well as to disqualify entries, artists, or songwriters who breach regulations.
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