Estonia's Musical Showcase Returns

On Saturday, February 14, 2026, Estonia will host one of its most anticipated television events as Eesti Laul 2026 takes center stage at the Unibet Arena in Tallinn. Organized by ERR (Eesti Rahvusringhääling), Estonia's public broadcaster, this annual music competition serves as the nation's selection process for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, bringing together twelve exceptional artists who will compete for the honor of representing Estonia on the international stage in Basel, Switzerland.

This year's edition marks a significant milestone as Eesti Laul introduces international voting for the first time in its history, allowing Eurovision fans worldwide to participate in selecting Estonia's representative. The show will be hosted by the dynamic duo of Karl-Erik Taukar and Karl "Korea" Kivastik from the popular group 5miinust, promising an evening of entertainment, musical excellence, and national pride.

The Competing Artists

NOËP – "Days like this"

NOËP brings contemporary pop sensibilities to the Eesti Laul stage with "Days like this," a track that showcases modern production values and relatable storytelling. The artist's approach combines accessible melodies with thoughtful lyricism, creating music that resonates with both local and international audiences.

Grete Paia – "Taevas jäi üles"

Performing in Estonian, Grete Paia presents "Taevas jäi üles" (The sky remains above), a song that honors Estonia's linguistic heritage while delivering a powerful emotional message. Her entry demonstrates the enduring appeal of native language performances in connecting with home audiences.

Marta Pikani – "Kell kuus"

Marta Pikani's "Kell kuus" (At six o'clock) offers another Estonian-language entry, bringing poetic imagery and cultural authenticity to the competition. Her artistic vision combines traditional Estonian musical elements with contemporary arrangements.

OLLIE – "Slave"

OLLIE delivers "Slave," a bold and energetic performance that pushes artistic boundaries. The song's powerful message and dynamic production make it a standout entry that demonstrates Estonia's diverse musical landscape.

Uliana Olhyna – "Rhythm of Nature"

Uliana Olhyna connects with universal themes through "Rhythm of Nature," a song that celebrates the natural world and humanity's relationship with the environment. Her performance brings an organic, authentic quality to the competition.

Vanilla Ninja – "Too Epic to Be True"

The legendary Estonian rock band Vanilla Ninja returns to the national selection with "Too Epic to Be True," bringing their signature sound and years of international experience. Their participation adds star power and nostalgia to the lineup, as they seek to represent Estonia at Eurovision once again.

ANT x Minimal Wind – "Wounds (Don't Wanna Fall)"

This collaboration between ANT and Minimal Wind produces "Wounds (Don't Wanna Fall)," a song that explores emotional vulnerability through contemporary electronic and acoustic fusion. The partnership demonstrates the creative possibilities when artists combine their unique talents.

Clicherik & Mäx – "Jolly Roger"

Clicherik and Mäx bring theatrical flair with "Jolly Roger," a performance that promises visual spectacle alongside musical innovation. Their entry showcases the adventurous spirit that has occasionally led Estonia to Eurovision success.

Getter Jaani – "The Game"

A familiar face in Estonian music, Getter Jaani returns to Eesti Laul with "The Game." Having represented Estonia at Eurovision 2011 with "Rockefeller Street," Getter brings valuable international experience and a proven track record of creating memorable performances.

Laura Prits – "Warrior"

Laura Prits channels strength and determination with "Warrior," an empowering anthem that speaks to resilience and perseverance. Her powerful vocals and commanding stage presence make her a formidable contender in the competition.

Robert Linna – "Metsik roos"

Robert Linna offers "Metsik roos" (Wild rose), an Estonian-language entry that combines poetic lyricism with emotional depth. His performance celebrates the beauty of the Estonian language while delivering universal themes of love and longing.

Stockholm Cowboys – "Last Man Standing"

The supergroup Stockholm Cowboys, featuring Stig Rästa and Victor Crone, brings together two Eurovision veterans. Stig represented Estonia in 2015 with "Goodbye to Yesterday" alongside Elina Born, while Victor won Eesti Laul 2019 with "Storm" and finished eighth at Eurovision. Their combined experience and proven Eurovision success make them one of the competition's most anticipated acts.

Unibet Arena: Estonia's Premier Entertainment Venue

The Unibet Arena in Tallinn provides the perfect setting for Eesti Laul 2026. Originally opened in November 2001 as Saku Suurhall and rebranded as Unibet Arena in 2023, this venue stands as Estonia's largest multi-purpose hall. With a capacity of approximately 7,200 seated spectators, or up to 10,000 when including standing room, the arena offers an intimate yet grand atmosphere ideal for live music competition.

The venue has hosted countless major events since its inception, from international sporting competitions to concerts by world-renowned artists. According to Unibet Arena, the facility underwent significant modernization in 2023, ensuring state-of-the-art production capabilities for events like Eesti Laul. The arena's excellent acoustics, professional lighting systems, and experienced technical staff guarantee that each performance will be presented with the highest production values.

Hosting Eesti Laul at this iconic Tallinn venue allows thousands of Estonian music fans to experience the excitement of the national selection live, while millions more watch from home and around the world.

The Competition Format

Eesti Laul 2026 employs an innovative two-stage voting system designed to balance professional musical expertise with public enthusiasm. All twelve artists will perform in a single Grand Final, with no preliminary semi-finals, ensuring that every act receives equal exposure and opportunity.

The first round of voting combines 50% jury votes and 50% public televoting to determine the top three acts who will advance to the Superfinal. The jury comprises at least seven members, including international music experts who bring diverse perspectives to the evaluation process. This balanced approach ensures that both artistic merit and popular appeal are considered in equal measure.

Once the Superfinal begins, the competition transforms into a pure test of public support. The three remaining contenders perform again, and the winner is determined by 100% public televoting, giving Estonian viewers and international fans the final say in who will represent Estonia at Eurovision 2026.

In a groundbreaking development for Eesti Laul, the 2026 edition introduces international voting for the first time in the competition's history. Viewers outside Estonia can cast their votes in both rounds through the dedicated platform eestilaul.vote, with a maximum of 20 votes per person per round. This innovation reflects Estonia's embrace of the global Eurovision community and recognizes the international interest in the country's national selection process.

How to Watch

Eesti Laul 2026 will be broadcast live on ETV, Estonia's flagship public television channel operated by ERR. The show will also stream online through multiple platforms to ensure maximum accessibility for viewers both in Estonia and around the world.

Domestic viewers can watch through ERR's Jupiter streaming platform at jupiter.err.ee, which offers live viewing of ETV along with extensive on-demand content. The broadcast will also be available on the ERR portal and Raadio 2 for radio listeners who want to experience the audio excitement.

International viewers will have the opportunity to watch Eesti Laul 2026 on the official Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel, ensuring that Eurovision fans worldwide can follow Estonia's selection process and participate in the historic international voting. This global accessibility reflects the growing international interest in national selection shows and Estonia's commitment to engaging with the worldwide Eurovision community.

The show begins at 21:00 EET on Saturday, February 14, 2026, and promises an evening of spectacular performances, dramatic voting, and the ultimate selection of Estonia's Eurovision 2026 representative.

A Legacy of Eurovision Excellence

Eesti Laul carries the weight of Estonia's proud Eurovision history. Since regaining independence and joining the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994, Estonia has become one of the competition's most consistent and successful participants. The country achieved its greatest triumph in 2001 when Tanel Padar, Dave Benton, and 2XL won Eurovision with "Everybody," bringing the contest to Tallinn the following year.

This victory marked a historic moment, as Dave Benton became the first black artist to win Eurovision, and the song's infectious energy captured hearts across Europe. Estonia's success continued with numerous top-ten finishes, including Eda-Ines Etti's fourth place in 2000 with "Once in a Lifetime" and Elina Nechayeva's eighth place in 2018 with the operatic masterpiece "La forza."

Eesti Laul itself has evolved significantly since its inception, becoming a showcase for Estonia's diverse musical talent and a platform for both established artists and emerging performers. The competition has produced memorable Eurovision entries that have resonated internationally, from Birgit Õigemeel's "Randajad" in 2013 to Elina Born and Stig Rästa's emotional "Goodbye to Yesterday" in 2015.

The twelve songs competing in Eesti Laul 2026 were selected from an impressive 171 submissions received by ERR, including 77 in Estonian and 94 in foreign languages. A 34-member expert jury conducted a blind selection process to choose the final twelve, ensuring that artistic merit was the sole criterion for advancement. This rigorous selection process guarantees that only the highest quality entries reach the Grand Final stage.

Join Estonia's Musical Journey

Eesti Laul 2026 represents more than just a music competition—it's a celebration of Estonian creativity, a showcase of the nation's musical diversity, and a moment when the entire country comes together around a shared cultural experience. Whether you're a devoted Eurovision fan, a supporter of Estonian music, or discovering Eesti Laul for the first time, this year's event promises unforgettable performances, innovative voting participation, and the thrill of witnessing the selection of Estonia's next Eurovision representative.

With returning Eurovision veterans, legendary bands making comebacks, and fresh talent bringing new perspectives, Eesti Laul 2026 offers something for every music lover. The introduction of international voting adds an exciting new dimension, allowing the global Eurovision community to play a role in Estonia's selection process for the first time.

Mark your calendars for February 14, 2026, tune in to ETV, the ERR portal, or the Eurovision YouTube channel, and be part of the journey as Estonia searches for its next Eurovision star. The stage is set, the artists are ready, and history awaits at Unibet Arena in Tallinn. Who will earn the right to carry Estonia's hopes to Basel? The answer lies in your hands.

Final Results

This event concluded on February 14, 2026. Congratulations to the winner!

🏆 Winner

Vanilla Ninja – "Too Epic To Be True"
35% of the public vote

Superfinal Results

Vanilla Ninja – "Too Epic To Be True" (35% of the vote)
Noëp – "Days Like This" (34% of the vote)
Ollie – "Slave" (31% of the vote)

About the Winner

Vanilla Ninja returns to Eurovision! The band previously represented Switzerland in 2006. The winning song "Too Epic To Be True" was written by Sven Lõhmus.

Full Results

The competition featured twelve acts, narrowed down to three superfinalists through a combination of international jury scores and public televotes (50/50 split). The superfinal was decided entirely by public vote.

What's Next?

Vanilla Ninja will represent Estonia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna, Austria. Estonia will perform in the first semi-final on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.