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Lithuania is tuning up for Eurovision 2026, with LRT officially opening song submissions today, and a revised Eurovizija.LT format promising more audience power, streamlined finals, and a high-tech twist.
Submission window and format
- Deadline: Submissions are open until 11 November 2025, as confirmed via LRT’s platform and televised announcement on Labas rytas, Lietuva (Good Morning, Lithuania).
- Selection Size: At least 30 songs will be chosen for the live rounds, ensuring a competitive field.
- Semi-Finals: Expect five to six semi-finals, with filming starting around 14 January 2026 and the first broadcast on 17 January. Semi-finals are slated to air weekly on Saturdays.
- Final: The climax comes on Friday, 27 February 2026, broadcast live from Twinsbet Arena in Vilnius—a first for the city’s national final.
What’s new in 2026
Lithuania’s national selection isn’t just returning—it’s evolving:
- No superfinal: The winning act will be chosen directly in the final, removing the extra head-to-head round.
- Tie-breaks go public: If scores are level, viewer votes will outrank jury preference.
- App voting introduced: Fans can vote via SMS and a dedicated mobile app—modernising engagement.
- Online wildcard round: Acts placing third in each semi-final get a second chance through a digital vote to grab the final spot in the grand final.
Behind the scenes and what’s at stake
- Production Boost: Each selected artist gets €1,500 from LRT to stage their performance—a support system aimed at elevating show quality.
- Audience engagement: The addition of app voting and wildcard rounds signals LRT’s strategy to draw younger fans back into the heart of the Eurovision journey.
- Broadcast strategy: Twinsbet Arena hosting the final marks a step-up in scale and spectacle, aligning Lithuania with other national finals held in major venues.
Lithuania’s Eurovision track record
Lithuania will be making its 25th appearance in Eurovision’s 70th edition next year. It often reaches the final, having done so in 2025 with Katarsis’s “Tavo akys,” which placed 16th. Eurovizija.LT has taken over as the country’s go-to selection format since 2024, replacing Pabandom iš naujo! with broader participation.
Eurovizija.LT 2026 is emerging as a nimble, audience-first selection process. By updating voting mechanics, cutting down on rounds, and embracing mobile technology, Lithuania is refining its Eurovision tradition with a modern twist – making it more accessible, engaging, and performance-driven.
