|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Greek broadcaster ERT has formally opened the submission window for Ethnikós Telikós 2026, setting the rules for how the country will choose its Eurovision entry for Vienna. The call for entries runs from 17 September until 2 November 2025 (23:59 local time) via an online form on ert.gr/eurovision2026.
The format
ERT will air two Semi-Finals and one Grand Final. Each Semi-Final will feature up to 14 songs, with qualifiers decided by public televote. Seven songs advance from each show; ties for the last spot see both progress.
The Grand Final voting will be split 50/50 between televoting and juries, with the jury component divided equally between a Greek panel (25%) and an international panel (25%). If the televote fails, backup juries step in.
The rules
Eligibility: Performers must be 16 or older and either Greek nationals, residents, of Greek origin, or Greek-speaking. Songwriters may be of any nationality, provided at least one creator is Greek or a Greek resident. Each composer may submit up to three songs; each performer may front only one. The submission deadline is 2 November 2025.
Songs: Must be original, under three minutes, and not performed or released before 1 September 2025. Any language is allowed. No political, obscene, or defamatory content permitted.
Staging: Up to six performers on stage. Live vocals over backing track only. Costumes, staging, and camera work are ultimately under ERT’s artistic control.
Exclusivity: From the moment the finalists are announced until the live shows, acts may appear only on ERT platforms.
The process
ERT will run a two-phase selection. A blind jury (with at least seven members, two from ERT) will shortlist up to 28 songs plus four reserves from the submissions. These will move on to the televised shows.
