Malta's Eurovision 2026 Selection Process
Malta is set to choose its entry today for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, which will be held in Vienna on May 12, 14, and 16. The contest holds significant national importance, as Malta first participated in Eurovision back in 1971. Following a fifteen-year hiatus that began in 1976, the country returned to the competition in 1991 and has not missed a single contest since. For a small island nation, Eurovision is a major platform for cultural expression on a global stage.
The final of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2026 (MESC) will begin at 21:45. It's worth noting that Malta has failed to qualify for the Eurovision grand final in the last three years (2022-2024), placing outside the top sixteen. Last year, Miriana Conte finished in seventeenth place with her song 'Kant'. The MESC national selection format was introduced in 2011 but was not held between 2019 and 2021.
The Finalists for Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2026
The artists competing in the Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2026 final are:
- Janice Mangion – 'Univers'
- Kelsie Borg – 'Let a Girl Breathe'
- Matt Blxck – 'Ejja lejja ħdejja 'l hawn (The Flute)'
- Denise – 'Trophy'
- Nathan Psaila – 'Ganador'
- Ema – 'Achikuku (Don't Think About It)'
- Franklin Calleja – 'Guide You Home'
- Mychael Bartolo Chircop – 'My Sweet Angel'
- Mark Anthony Bartolo – 'Mumenti sbieħ'
- Aidan – 'Bella'
- Matthew Cilia and The AfterParty – 'Brutality Mentality'
- Adria Twins – 'Nerġa' nqum'
This year's contest also takes place against the backdrop of announced boycotts of Eurovision 2026 by Ireland, Spain, and the Netherlands. Malta continues its journey in the world of music competitions, hoping for a successful performance in Vienna. This national final represents a crucial step for Malta as it strives to recapture its past Eurovision successes. Despite recent disappointing results, the country has an opportunity to showcase new talent and refresh its image internationally. The absence of some competing nations could alter the competitive landscape, potentially opening doors for Malta's eventual representative.