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Estonia’s beloved Eesti Laul is back for Eurovision 2025, but this time it’s got a fresh new look! Estonian broadcaster ERR has announced the details of its pre-selection, and fans of Estonian music are in for a treat. The big news? Eesti Laul 2025 will be reduced to a single-night event—a concise but action-packed final on Saturday, February 15, where the country will choose its entry for Basel.
One Night, One Shot
Gone are the days of drawn-out semi-finals and weeks of waiting. For 2025, Eesti Laul is keeping things simple and exciting by focusing on one bumper final. The show will feature 16 songs battling it out for Eurovision glory. The setup? 15 of these songs will be hand-picked by an expert jury from all the submissions received by ERR. And the last slot? That’ll be decided by a public vote—a real wild card to keep things interesting!
The Format: From 16 to One
Once all 16 songs are performed, it’s decision time. But Estonia likes to keep us guessing. First, a combined audience and jury vote will decide which three superfinalists make it through. Once those lucky three are revealed, the Estonian public takes over. The vote reopens, and the final decision lies in the hands of Eurovision’s most passionate fans. It’s all or nothing in this nail-biting showdown to determine who will wave the Estonian flag in Basel.
Why the Shake-Up?
Estonia is no stranger to shaking things up at Eurovision. By streamlining Eesti Laul into a single event, ERR is aiming to create a more intense and focused competition. No need to worry about semi-finals dragging on or acts being overshadowed in multiple rounds—everything will happen in one high-octane night. It’s a move that promises to deliver all the drama in one go, making sure Estonia picks the strongest possible entry for Eurovision 2025.
A History of Eesti Laul Success
Since its debut in 2009, Eesti Laul has been Estonia’s national treasure, producing some of the country’s most memorable Eurovision acts. From Elina Nechayeva’s operatic La Forza in 2018 to Uku Suviste making waves in recent years, the contest has become synonymous with discovering Estonia’s finest talent. With this new format, Estonia is hoping to follow up on its recent successes and maintain its presence as a competitive Eurovision nation.
Key Dates for 2025
If you’re planning to follow Eesti Laul closely, here’s what you need to know. Submissions opened on Monday, September 16, and artists have until Monday, October 21 to get their entries in. The longlist will be announced sometime in November, with the final line-up ready to perform for the first time in December. That’s when we’ll get our first glimpse of the songs battling for the chance to represent Estonia at the 69th Eurovision Song Contest.
The grand final is set for February 15, 2025, so mark your calendars—Eesti Laul promises to bring all the excitement and Estonian flair in one unforgettable evening.
What’s Next for Estonia?
After Estonia’s ups and downs in Eurovision over the years, including some showstopping entries and a few near misses, this streamlined format could be exactly what’s needed to refocus the competition and send a strong contender to Basel. With the public getting a say in both the finalist selection and the super-finalist vote, this year’s Eesti Laul promises to be as democratic as it is dramatic.
So, Estonia—get ready! With the changes to Eesti Laul 2025, the competition is shaping up to be tighter, more exciting, and more unpredictable than ever before.