Germany Confirms Eurovision 2026 Participation Amidst Broadcaster Transition

Germany has officially confirmed its participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, marking a significant transition in its national broadcasting responsibilities. Südwestrundfunk (SWR) will take over from Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR) as the lead broadcaster for Germany’s Eurovision involvement, a role NDR has held since 1996. This change is part of a broader strategy by ARD, the consortium of public broadcasters in Germany, to specialise programming across its regional affiliates.

SWR’s assumption of Eurovision duties is not without precedent; its predecessor, Südwestfunk, organized Germany’s entries in 1962 and 1978. The transition aims to bring a fresh perspective to Germany’s Eurovision strategy, with SWR already initiating preparations for the 2026 contest.

Details regarding Germany’s selection process for its 2026 entry remain undisclosed. In 2025, NDR, in collaboration with RTL and producer Stefan Raab, introduced the national selection show “Chefsache ESC,” which culminated in Abor & Tynna representing Germany with their song “Baller,” achieving a 15th place finish in Basel.

As one of the “Big Five,” Germany automatically qualifies for the Grand Final, which is provisionally scheduled for either May 16 or May 23, 2026, in Austria. The exact dates and host city are expected to be confirmed following the conclusion of the bidding process initiated by the Austrian broadcaster ORF.
esctoday.com

Germany’s commitment to Eurovision 2026 underscores its enduring dedication to the contest, even as it navigates internal changes aimed at revitalizing its approach and performance on the international stage.