The Estonian broadcaster ERR announced earlier this week the finalists of Eesti Laul 2026, the Estonian national selection for Eurovision. There were 171 songs sent to the contest, and amongst those songs, the 12 finalists were selected.
In Eesti Laul 2026 we get to see both familiar and new faces. For example the female group Vanilla Ninja, who carried the flag of Switzerland in 2005, are hoping to represent their home country in Eurovision 2026. Also two former Estonian Eurovision representatives Stig Rästa (2015) and Victor Crone (2019) return to the Eesti Laul stage as a duo Stockholm Cowboys. Another former Estonian Eurovision representative returning to Eesti Laul is Getter Jaani (2011).
In addition to former Eurovision reprentatives, also some former successful Eesti Laul contestants are returning in 2026, for example Ollie and Grete Paia are amongst the finalists. Also many new, interesting artists are making their Eesti Laul debut.
Here are the 12 finalists of Eesti Laul 2026:
ANT x Minimal Wind – ”Wounds (Don’t wanna Fall)” (written by Taavi-Hans Kõlar, Paula Pajusaar, Ant Nurhan, Katrina Merily Reimand)
Clicheric & Mäx -”Jolly Roger” (written by Max Õispuu, Erik Soasepp, Jānis Jačmenkins)
Getter Jaani – ”The Game” (written by Sven Lõhmus)
Grete Paia – ”Taevas jäi üles” (written by Grete Paia, Jorma-Jan Erik, Gevin Niglas, Ragnar Sepp)
Laura Prits – ”Warrior” (written by Laura Prits, Edgars Jercums, Jānis Jačmenkins)
Marta Pikani – ”Kell Kuus” (written by Marta Pikani)
NOËP – ”Days Like This” (written by Andres Kõpper, Vallo Kikas, Yvonne Dahlbom)
OLLIE – ”Slave” (written by Oliver Mazurtšak)
Robert Linna – ”Metsik Roos” (written by Robert Linna)
STOCKHOLM COWBOYS / Stig Rästa, Viktor Crone – ”Last Man Standing” (written by Stig Rästa, Viktor Crone)
Uliana Olhyna – ”Rhythm of Nature” (written by Uliana Olhyna, Ariana Arutjunjan)
Vanilla Ninja – ”Too Epic To Be True” (written by Sven Lõhmus)
The final of Eesti Laul takes place on February 14th 2026 in Unibet Arena, Tallinn. The show will be hosted by musicians Karl-Erik Taugar and Korea, who Eurovision fans probably remember from Estonian Eurovision 2024 act 5MIINUST:
Last year’s Eurovision was a big success for Estonia. In Basel Estonia was represented by Tommy Cash with his super catchy earworm ”Espresso Macchiato”, which finished 3rd in the Grand Final with 356 points:
