Finland's Quest for Eurovision Glory: UMK 2026

On Saturday, 28 February 2026, Finland's annual national selection show Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK) takes place at the spectacular Nokia Arena in Tampere, broadcast live on Yle TV1 starting at 21:00 EET (20:00 CET) and streamed internationally on Yle Areena with English commentary. Seven acts compete for the honour of representing Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna.

The evening is hosted by Sami Sykkö, Jorma Uotinen, and Jasmin Beloued.

Official Running Order

The seven competing acts perform in the following official order, as confirmed by the official Yle voting guide:

Komiat – "Lululai"
Etta – "Million Dollar Smile"
Kiki – "Rakkaudenkipee" (Lovesick)
Antti Paalanen – "Takatukka" (Mullet)
CHACHI – "Cherry Cake"
Sinikka Monte – "Ready to Leave"
Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen – "Liekinheitin" (Flamethrower)

Special Guests & Interval Acts

UMK 2026 opens with an extraordinary pairing: JJ, winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel representing Austria, joins forces with Finland's own Erika Vikman — Finland's 2025 Eurovision representative — for an ultimate mashup to kick off the evening. As confirmed by Yle, this once-in-a-show pairing of the reigning Eurovision champion and Finland's most recent Eurovision artist sets the stage for an unforgettable night.

The show features three interval acts in total. In the second break, four of Finland's most prominent rappers — Turisti, Averagekidluke, Ares, and Elastinen — perform a special remix of "Kui paljon", as reported by Yle. And Finnish pop legend Sonja Lumme performs her iconic hit "Eläköön elämä" — a beloved anthem that needs no introduction to Finnish audiences.

The Seven Competing Acts

Komiat – "Lululai"

Komiat opens the show with "Lululai," a track that incorporates traditional Finnish folk elements including throat singing and accordion. This bold artistic choice demonstrates Finland's willingness to push boundaries and present unconventional sounds at Eurovision, continuing the tradition of memorable and unique Finnish entries.

Etta – "Million Dollar Smile"

Etta brings infectious pop energy with the uplifting "Million Dollar Smile," promising feel-good vibes that have historically resonated well with Eurovision audiences — combining catchy melodies with a charismatic stage presence.

Kiki – "Rakkaudenkipee"

Kiki performs "Rakkaudenkipee" (Lovesick), bringing contemporary dance music vibes to the competition. Her performance promises to get audiences moving while showcasing the kind of modern sound that has become increasingly popular at Eurovision in recent years.

Antti Paalanen – "Takatukka"

Antti Paalanen brings personality and humour to UMK with "Takatukka" (Mullet), a song that doesn't take itself too seriously while still delivering a memorable performance. This approach has proven successful at Eurovision, where entertainment value and authenticity often triumph over conventional polish.

CHACHI – "Cherry Cake"

CHACHI serves up sweet pop confection with "Cherry Cake," a track designed to stay in your head long after the final notes fade. The song's playful energy and modern production make it a strong contender for viewers seeking a fun, upbeat Eurovision entry.

Sinikka Monte – "Ready to Leave"

Sinikka Monte delivers contemporary pop sophistication with "Ready to Leave," combining emotional depth with radio-friendly production. Her performance aims to strike the perfect balance between artistic integrity and commercial appeal.

Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen – "Liekinheitin"

In one of the most exciting collaborations of UMK 2026, acclaimed violinist Linda Lampenius joins forces with popular Finnish artist Pete Parkkonen for "Liekinheitin" (Flamethrower). This partnership brings together classical virtuosity and contemporary Finnish pop, creating a unique sonic experience that closes the competition with a bang.

The Voting System

The UMK winner is determined by a 75% public vote and 25% international jury split. This dominant public voice ensures that Finland's Eurovision representative has strong domestic support, while the international jury brings insight into what works on the Eurovision stage across diverse cultures. Finnish viewers vote during the live show via SMS or app.

A Unique Rule for 2026

In a notable decision for UMK 2026, Yle has confirmed that the winning act will have the option to represent Finland at Eurovision — they will not be obliged to compete if they have personal objections to Israel's participation in the contest. This is a transparent acknowledgement of the ongoing debates within the Eurovision community and reflects Finland's commitment to its artists' autonomy.

Nokia Arena: Finland's Premier Venue

UMK 2026 takes place at the Nokia Arena in Tampere, designed by internationally renowned architect Daniel Libeskind and opened in December 2021. With a capacity of up to 15,000 spectators, the arena features cutting-edge production capabilities including the world's first LED dasher boards, a centre-hung media cube, and ribbon displays — creating an immersive visual experience that sets UMK apart from most other national selections in Europe. The arena is built directly over the central railway line, making it easily accessible for fans travelling from across Finland and beyond.

Finland's Eurovision Legacy

Finland has one of Eurovision's most distinctive track records, from Lordi's revolutionary 2006 victory with "Hard Rock Hallelujah" (then a record 292 points) to Käärijä's global phenomenon "Cha Cha Cha" in 2023 (runner-up with 526 points). Blind Channel (6th in 2021 with "Dark Side") and Erika Vikman (2025) have continued Finland's tradition of bold, authentic performances. The UMK winner will carry this legacy to Vienna. For full information, see Eurovision.com – Vienna 2026. Visit the Events Calendar to follow all upcoming Eurovision 2026 events.

Final Results

This event concluded on 28 February 2026 at the Nokia Arena in Tampere. The winner was selected by 75% public vote and 25% international jury. Congratulations to the winner!

🏆 Winner: Finland's Eurovision 2026 Representative

Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen – "Liekinheitin" (Flamethrower)
Total Points: 570 (78 jury + 492 public)

The victory was emphatic — Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen received a record 446,681 public votes, the highest ever cast in the history of the Finnish national selection. The international jury was also near-unanimous in their support.

Full Results

Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen – "Liekinheitin" — 570 pts (78 jury + 492 public) 🏆 Winner
Antti Paalanen – "Takatukka" — 210 pts (38 jury + 172 public)
Komiat – "Lululai" — 116 pts (40 jury + 76 public)
CHACHI – "Cherry Cake" — 99 pts (28 jury + 71 public)
Sinikka Monte – "Ready to Leave" — 97 pts (12 jury + 85 public)
Etta – "Million Dollar Smile" — 42 pts (24 jury + 18 public)
KIKI – "Rakkaudenkipee" — 42 pts (10 jury + 32 public)

View the full official points breakdown on the official YLE results article and follow all UMK coverage at the YLE UMK 2026 hub.

What's Next for Finland?

Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen will represent Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 – Semi-Final 1 in Vienna in May 2026. Visit the Events Calendar for all upcoming Eurovision 2026 events.