The Ultimate Showdown for Eurovision Glory

After two thrilling semi-finals, Dora 2026 reaches its climax on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 20:05 CET. The Grand Final brings together the 16 best acts from the semi-finals—8 qualifiers from each night—for the ultimate battle to represent Croatia at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna. Held at the HRT Studios in Zagreb, this decisive evening will determine which artist carries Croatia's hopes to the 70th edition of the world's largest music competition.

Unlike the semi-finals, where public voting alone determined the qualifiers, the Grand Final introduces a 50/50 voting split between Croatian viewers and professional juries. This balanced approach combines popular appeal with expert musical assessment, ensuring that Croatia's Eurovision representative has both public support and artistic credibility.

The 16 Finalists

The finalists have already proven themselves by winning over Croatian voters in the semi-finals. These 16 acts represent the full spectrum of Croatian musical talent, from powerful ballads to energetic pop, from introspective indie to theatrical performances.

Qualifiers from Semi-Final 1 (February 12)

Lima Len – "Raketa"
Ananda – "Dora"
Ema Bubić – "Vrijeme za nas"
Noelle – "Uninterrupted"
Alen Đuras – "From Ashes to Flame"
Cold Snap – "Mucho Macho"
ToMa – "Ledina"
LELEK – "Andromeda"

Qualifiers from Semi-Final 2 (February 13)

Sergej – "Scream"
Devin – "Over Me"
Stela Rade – "Nema te"
Marko Kutlić – "Neotuđivo"
Lara Demarin – "Mantra"
Irma – "Ni traga"
Ritam Noir – "Profumi di mare"
Lana Mandarić – "Tama"

Your Hosts for the Evening

Guiding viewers through this momentous evening are four charismatic presenters: Barbara Kolar, Duško Ćurlić, Iva Šulentić, and Ivan Vukušić. This dynamic quartet has been the face of Dora 2026 throughout the competition.

Barbara Kolar and Duško Ćurlić are familiar faces to Dora fans, having hosted previous editions of the national selection. Their experience and chemistry provide continuity and professionalism to the broadcast. Iva Šulentić returns to Dora hosting duties for the first time since 2019, bringing fresh energy while maintaining connection to the competition's recent history. Ivan Vukušić makes his Dora hosting debut this year, adding a new perspective to the team. Both Šulentić and Vukušić are also known for their work on "The Voice Kids," demonstrating their expertise in music competition television.

Together, these four hosts will manage the complex Grand Final format, announcing results, interviewing artists, and building suspense as Croatia discovers its Eurovision 2026 representative.

Understanding the Grand Final Voting

The Grand Final voting system represents a careful balance between democratic public participation and professional musical expertise. The winner will be determined by combining 50% public televoting and 50% jury voting.

Public Televoting

Croatian viewers can vote for their favorite act via phone or SMS during and immediately after the performances. Each vote carries equal weight, and the public's collective decision accounts for half of the final result. This ensures that the winning act has genuine popular support and can energize the Croatian public ahead of Eurovision.

Professional Juries

The jury component consists of eight separate juries: four Croatian regional juries and four international juries. Each jury comprises three music professionals—including musicians, composers, producers, and music journalists—who evaluate the songs based on vocal performance, composition, staging, and overall Eurovision potential.

The four Croatian juries represent different regions: Zagreb, Split, Rijeka, and Osijek. This geographic distribution ensures that perspectives from across Croatia are represented. The four international juries bring outside expertise, offering insights into how the songs might be received by European audiences at Eurovision.

By combining these eight jury votes with the public televote, Dora 2026 aims to select an entry that is both beloved by Croatians and competitive on the international Eurovision stage.

The Historic HRT Studios

The HRT Studios in Zagreb provide a fitting venue for this historic decision. As the headquarters of Hrvatska radiotelevizija (Croatian Radio Television), these studios have witnessed countless defining moments in Croatian broadcasting history. In 2026, they take on special significance as HRT celebrates its 100th anniversary of radio broadcasting and 70th anniversary of television.

The studios' advanced technical infrastructure allows for spectacular production values. Multiple camera angles capture every moment of the performances, while sophisticated lighting systems and LED screens create immersive visual environments for each song. The controlled acoustic environment ensures pristine audio quality, allowing viewers to appreciate the nuances of each vocal performance and musical arrangement.

Hosting Dora in Zagreb also connects the competition to Croatia's capital city, a vibrant cultural hub where many of the competing artists have developed their careers. While Dora has strong historical ties to the coastal city of Opatija, the Zagreb editions in 2024 and 2026 have brought new energy and production possibilities to the national selection.

How to Watch the Grand Final

The Dora 2026 Grand Final broadcasts live on HRT1, Croatia's flagship television channel, beginning at 20:05 CET. The show will also stream simultaneously on HRTi, HRT's digital platform, allowing viewers to watch on computers, tablets, smartphones, and smart TVs.

International Eurovision fans can access the broadcast through the official Dora HRT YouTube channel, which provides free live streaming to audiences worldwide. This global accessibility has made Dora one of the most-watched national selections in the Eurovision calendar, with fans from across Europe and beyond tuning in to discover Croatia's next Eurovision entry.

Expect extended coverage compared to the semi-finals, with pre-show segments, interval acts, and the dramatic voting sequence all contributing to an evening of entertainment that could last several hours. The tension builds as public votes and jury scores are revealed, culminating in the announcement of Croatia's Eurovision 2026 representative.

Croatia's Eurovision Journey

Croatia has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest since 1993, following the country's independence. Over three decades, Croatian artists have brought diverse musical styles to the Eurovision stage, from traditional Balkan sounds to contemporary pop and experimental performances.

The country's best Eurovision result came in 1999 when Doris Dragović finished 4th with the powerful ballad "Marija Magdalena." That performance remains a touchstone for Croatian Eurovision fans, representing the heights the country can reach with the right song and artist.

More recent years have seen Croatia embrace more diverse and sometimes provocative entries. Nina Kraljić's "Lighthouse" (2016) qualified from the semi-final with a haunting performance. Franka's "Crazy" (2018) brought contemporary pop sensibilities. Mia Dimšić's "Guilty Pleasure" (2022) showcased emotional vulnerability.

Perhaps most memorably, Let 3's "Mama ŠČ!" in 2023 became a viral phenomenon, generating millions of views and sparking international conversations about artistic freedom, political commentary, and the boundaries of Eurovision performance. While the entry didn't qualify from the semi-final in Liverpool, it demonstrated Croatia's willingness to take creative risks and challenge expectations.

The winner of Dora 2026 will represent Croatia at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria, at the iconic Wiener Stadthalle. This marks the contest's 70th edition, a milestone anniversary that adds extra prestige to the event. Vienna previously hosted Eurovision in 2015, delivering one of the most acclaimed productions in contest history, and expectations are high for the 2026 edition.

What's at Stake

For the 16 finalists, tonight represents the culmination of months of preparation, from the initial song submission process through semi-final qualification. The winner will not only achieve a career-defining moment but also become part of Croatia's Eurovision legacy, joining the ranks of artists who have represented the nation on Europe's biggest stage.

Beyond individual achievement, the winning song will serve as Croatia's cultural ambassador at Eurovision 2026. The entry will be heard by millions of viewers across Europe and beyond, introducing international audiences to Croatian music and culture. A strong performance in Vienna could boost Croatia's music industry, tourism, and international profile.

For Croatian viewers, the Grand Final offers the chance to participate in a national cultural moment. The collective experience of watching, voting, and celebrating together creates shared memories and reinforces national identity through music.

Join the Historic Moment

Sunday, February 15, 2026, will be remembered as the night Croatia chose its Eurovision 2026 representative. With 16 exceptional acts competing, a sophisticated 50/50 voting system, and the prestige of representing Croatia at the contest's 70th edition, the stakes have never been higher.

Whether you're watching from Croatia or anywhere in the world, tune in at 20:05 CET to witness this historic decision. Every vote matters, every performance counts, and by the end of the evening, one artist will begin their journey to Vienna.

For more information about Dora 2026 and Eurovision, visit the official HRT website. Join the conversation on social media, support your favorite act, and be part of Croatia's Eurovision story. The road to Vienna reaches its decisive moment tonight!

Final Results

This event concluded on February 15, 2026. Congratulations to the winner!

🏆 Winner

LELEK – "Andromeda"
Total Points: 173

Top 5 Results

LELEK – "Andromeda" (173 points)
Cold Snap – "Mucho macho" (108 points)
Stela Rade – "Nema te" (93 points)
ToMa – "Ledina" (71 points)
Devin – "Over Me" (61 points)

Voting Breakdown

The winner was determined by a combination of 50% public vote, 25% regional jury, and 25% international jury. LELEK won convincingly with 77 jury points and 96 public points, dominating both categories.

Full Results

View complete voting breakdown and full results on the official Eurovision website.

What's Next?

LELEK will represent Croatia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna, Austria!

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