Portugal: Five Acts Secure Spots in Festival da Canção 2026 Final
The Festival da Canção 2026 kicked off with its first semi-final night in Lisbon, showcasing eight talented acts. This event marks the beginning of a selection process for Portugal’s entry into Eurovision 2026.
Details of the Semi-Final
The semi-final featured a unique voting system to determine which acts continue on their journey. The initial round of voting allowed four acts to secure their spots in the final through a 50/50 split of public and jury votes.
For the remaining acts, a second round ensued. In this round, one additional act advanced solely based on a public vote. The voting dynamics were designed to ensure fair representation of both professional and audience opinions.
Event Hosting and Location
This exciting night took place at the Valentim de Carvalho studios in Lisbon. Vasco Palmeirim served as the host, supported by green room hosts Alexandre Guimarães and Catarina Maia.
Upcoming Semi-Final
The next semi-final is scheduled for next week, where another set of eight acts will perform. This will determine the final five participants for the competition. By the end of these semi-finals, ten acts will compete in the grand finale.
Structure of Festival da Canção 2026
- Two semi-finals will feature eight acts each.
- Five acts will progress from each semi-final.
- The first four finalists will be chosen by a combined jury and public vote.
- The final act will be determined by a public vote only.
- The final will see ten acts vying for victory.
The winner of Festival da Canção 2026 will represent Portugal at Eurovision 2026, unless they choose to opt out. If that occurs, an alternative act will be selected by the broadcaster to compete in Vienna.
Portugal’s Eurovision History
Portugal has participated in Eurovision 56 times since its debut in 1964, facing challenges along the way. The country experienced a difficult start, notably receiving zero points in its first appearance.
However, a significant milestone was achieved in 2017 when Salvador Sobral won with the song “Amar Pelos Dois.” This victory marked a turning point for Portugal, ending its record of most appearances without a win.
Since the introduction of semi-finals in 2004, Portugal has qualified for the Grand Final ten times out of nineteen attempts. Fans are eager to see if this trend continues in the upcoming competition.
