Melodifestivalen 2026 Heat 5: The Final Heat in Northern Sweden

On Saturday, 28 February 2026, Melodifestivalen 2026 Heat 5 brings the competition to northern Sweden as Nordichallen (Gärdehov Arena) in Sundsvall hosts the fifth and final heat. This concluding heat features a star-studded lineup including a returning Eurovision legend and an international K-pop debut — all six competing for the last spots in the Grand Final and Second Chance round on the road to the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna, Austria. The show is broadcast live on SVT1 from 20:00 CET and streamed on SVT Play.

Official Running Order

The official start order for Heat 5, as confirmed by SVT, is:

AleXa – "Tongue Tied"
Juliett – "Långt från alla andra"
Bladë – "Who You Are"
Lilla Al-Fadji – "Delulu"
Vilhelm Buchaus – "Hearts Don't Lie"
Sanna Nielsen – "Waste Your Love"

The Six Competing Artists

AleXa – "Tongue Tied"

AleXa, winner of the American Song Contest 2022, makes her Melodifestivalen debut with "Tongue Tied." The Korean-American artist's powerful vocals and commanding stage presence — honed through years of K-pop training and American competition success — make her one of the heat's most exciting contenders and a genuinely international element in the final heat.

Juliett – "Långt från alla andra"

Juliett delivers "Långt från alla andra" (Far From Everyone Else), a Swedish-language entry exploring themes of isolation and self-discovery. The song's introspective lyrics and contemporary production showcase Juliett's artistic depth and ability to connect emotionally with audiences.

Bladë – "Who You Are"

Bladë performs "Who You Are," an empowering anthem about self-acceptance and authenticity. The song's uplifting message and infectious energy create a feel-good moment in the evening's lineup.

Lilla Al-Fadji – "Delulu"

Lilla Al-Fadji brings contemporary pop culture to Melodifestivalen with "Delulu," a playful exploration of modern relationship dynamics. The catchy hooks and relatable lyrics resonate with younger audiences while maintaining broad appeal.

Vilhelm Buchaus – "Hearts Don't Lie"

Vilhelm Buchaus delivers "Hearts Don't Lie," a heartfelt ballad about emotional honesty and vulnerability. His emotive vocal performance creates an intimate moment that showcases the power of authentic storytelling in pop music.

Sanna Nielsen – "Waste Your Love"

Melodifestivalen royalty Sanna Nielsen returns to the competition for her eighth time, performing "Waste Your Love" as she celebrates 30 years as an artist. A previous Melodifestivalen winner and Sweden's Eurovision 2014 representative — where she finished 3rd with "Undo" — Sanna brings unmatched experience and vocal prowess to the final heat. Notably, this is the first time in her entire career that she has been assigned the closing start position in a heat. As confirmed by SVT, her return generates significant excitement and adds prestige to the conclusion of the season's preliminary rounds.

Nordichallen: Northern Sweden's Premier Venue

Heat 5 takes place at Nordichallen, the centrepiece of the Gärdehov Arena complex in Sundsvall, recognised as the largest venue for sports, events, and trade fairs in northern Sweden. Opened in January 1992, the arena has a capacity of approximately 9,300 spectators for concerts and events, with a floor measuring 105 metres by 65 metres and a ceiling height of 21 metres. Its excellent acoustics and modern facilities make it ideal for Melodifestivalen's spectacular production requirements. The Gärdehov complex, situated just 4 kilometres north of Sundsvall city centre, provides parking for 1,200 cars and comprehensive facilities, ensuring a smooth experience for the thousands of attendees filling the arena for this final heat.

The Format: How Qualification Works

Six songs compete in Heat 5. The top two advance directly to the Grand Final — the winner determined by an eight-region public televote, the second qualifier by the Demoscopic Jury. Two more proceed to the Second Chance (Andra Chansen) round for a final opportunity to reach the finale. Two are eliminated.

Heat 5 marks the conclusion of all five preliminary heats. After this show, eight acts (two from each of the five heats, minus the two direct qualifiers) will compete in Andra Chansen, before Sweden's Eurovision 2026 representative is crowned at the Grand Final in Gothenburg.

Your Hosts

Melodifestivalen 2026 is hosted by Gina Dirawi and Hampus Nessvold. Gina, a beloved Melodifestivalen veteran known for her warmth and humour, returns alongside Hampus, who brings fresh energy and natural charm. Together they guide viewers through the evening's performances, voting, and results.

How to Watch

Heat 5 is broadcast live on SVT1 on 28 February 2026, from 20:00 to 21:30 CET. Streaming is available via SVT Play — free, with no subscription required. Download the official Melodifestivalen app to cast your votes and follow the regional voting in real time.

The Road to Vienna

The winner of Melodifestivalen 2026 will represent Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna, Austria. Sweden's Eurovision heritage is unrivalled — seven victories across five decades, from ABBA's "Waterloo" (1974) through Loreen's unprecedented double triumph with "Euphoria" (2012) and "Tattoo" (2023). For full information on the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, see the official Eurovision 2026 Vienna page. Visit the Events Calendar to follow all upcoming Melodifestivalen and Eurovision 2026 events.

Event Results

This event concluded on 28 February 2026 at the Gärdehov Arena in Sundsvall. Below are the official results.

Direct Qualifiers to the Grand Final

1st Place: Lilla Al-Fadji – "Delulu"
2nd Place: Sanna Nielsen – "Waste Your Love"

Finalkval (Second Chance Round)

AleXa – "Tongue Tied" advances to the Finalkval round, where all five third-place finishers from the heats compete for the remaining two Grand Final spots.

Eliminated

JULIETT – "Långt från alla andra"
Bladë – "Who You Are"
Vilhelm Buchaus – "Hearts Don't Lie"

Finalkval Results

The Finalkval took place on 28 February 2026 immediately after Heat 5, at the same Gärdehov Arena in Sundsvall. Five third-place finishers from all five heats competed for the last two Grand Final spots.

Finalkval Participants

Jacqline – "Woman" (Heat 1)
Robin Bengtsson – "Honey Honey" (Heat 2)
Eva Jumatate – "Selfish" (Heat 3)
Meira Omar – "Dooset Daram" (Heat 4)
AleXa – "Tongue Tied" (Heat 5)

🎯 Grand Final Qualifiers from Finalkval

Meira Omar – "Dooset Daram" — qualified via highest cumulative heat score
Robin Bengtsson – "Honey Honey" — qualified via Finalkval public vote

Eliminated in Finalkval

Jacqline – "Woman"
Eva Jumatate – "Selfish"
AleXa – "Tongue Tied"

Watch the full broadcast including both Heat 5 and the Finalkval on the official SVT Play – Deltävling 5 & Finalkval page.

Grand Final Lineup

With the Finalkval concluded, the full Melodifestivalen 2026 Grand Final lineup is now set for 7 March 2026 in Stockholm. Visit the Events Calendar to follow the Grand Final and Sweden's journey to the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna.