Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026

Norway in the
Eurovision Song Contest 2026
Eurovision Song Contest 2026
Participating broadcasterNorwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK)
Country Norway
Selection processMelodi Grand Prix 2026
Selection date28 February 2026
Competing entry
Song"Ya Ya Ya"
ArtistJonas Lovv
Songwriters
  • Jonas Lovv Hellesøy
  • Sondre Skaftun
Placement
Semi-final resultQualified (4th, 206 points)
Final result14th, 134 points
Participation chronology
◄2025 • 2026 • 2027►

Norway was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 with the song "Ya Ya Ya", written by Jonas Lovv Hellesøy and Sondre Skaftun, and performed by Jonas Lovv. The Norwegian participating broadcaster, the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK), organised the national final Melodi Grand Prix 2026 in order to select its entry for the contest.

Background

Prior to the 2026 contest, the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest representing Norway sixty-four times since its first entry in 1960. It had won the contest on three occasions: in 1985 with the song "La det swinge" performed by Bobbysocks!, in 1995 with the song "Nocturne" performed by Secret Garden, and in 2009 with the song "Fairytale" performed by Alexander Rybak. Norway also had the two dubious distinctions of having finished last in the Eurovision final more than any other country and for having received nul points (zero points) four times, the latter being a record shared with Austria. The country had finished last eleven times and had failed to score a point during four contests. Following the introduction of semi-finals for 2004, Norway has finished in the top ten ten times.[1]

As part of its duties as participating broadcaster, NRK organises the selection of its entry in the Eurovision Song Contest and broadcasts the event in the country. The broadcaster has traditionally organised the national final Melodi Grand Prix, which has selected its entry for the Eurovision Song Contest in all but one of its participation. NRK confirmed its intentions to participate at the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest on 19 June 2025,[2] and announced on 20 June the organization of Melodi Grand Prix 2026 in order to select its 2026 entry.[3]

Before Eurovision

Melodi Grand Prix 2026

Melodi Grand Prix 2026 was the 64th edition of the Norwegian national final Melodi Grand Prix (MGP), which selected Norway's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. The show took place on 28 February 2026 at the Håkons Hall in Lillehammer, hosted by Ronny Brede Aase, Marte Stokstad and Markus Neby.[4][5] The national final was watched by 605,000 viewers in Norway with a market share of 56.4%, making it the least watched edition of MGP ever.[6][7]

Format

The competition consisted of two stages. The first stage was a radio selection titled MGP-cupen ("MGP cup"), which took place between 20 and 26 January 2026 during the NRK P1 programme Nitimen. Eight songs competed over three rounds of duels and the winning entry qualified to the second stage, which was the final, on 28 February 2026, joining the eight pre-qualified finalists. The results of MGP-cupen were determined exclusively by public online voting through NRK's official website nrk.no, while viewers could also cast their votes online through nrk.no during the final.[8][9][10]

Competing entries

A submission period was opened by NRK between 20 June and 1 September 2025. Each song had to have at least one Norwegian songwriter, and each songwriter could submit a maximum of three songs.[3][11] In addition to the public call for submissions, NRK directly invited certain artists and composers to submit songs.[12] At the close of the deadline, approximately 1,500 submissions were received.[13] A total of 16 songs were selected for the competition by the newly assigned MGP music producer Tarjei Strøm: eight songs for MGP-cupen and an additional eight songs that qualified directly for the final.[4] The directly qualified competing acts and songs were revealed on 19 January 2026 during a press conference at NRK's studio 1, presented by Ronny Brede Aase, Marte Stokstad and Markus Neby, while the acts competing in MGP-cupen were revealed on 20 January 2026.[14][15] Due to Israel's participation in Eurovision amidst the Gaza war, Ylvis withdrew prior to the announcement of the participants despite having been selected to compete.[16] Among the competing artists were Alexander Rybak, who won the 2009 contest for Norway and represented the country again in 2018, and Emmy, who represented Ireland in 2025.[15][17]

Artist Song Songwriter(s)
Alexander Rybak "Rise" Alexander Rybak
Aranja "Pyjamas Song"
  • Aranja Gharib
  • Christopher Scott Simmons
  • Ola Frøyen
  • Sonia Maselik
Emma "Northern Lights"
Emmy "Sykt fin"
  • Andreas Johansson
  • Ben Adams
  • Emmy Kristine Guttulsrud Kristiansen
Gothminister "The Spell" Bjørn Alexander Brem
Hedda Mae "Snap Back"
Jonas Lovv "Ya Ya Ya"
Leonardo Amor "Prayer"
  • Ådne Perry Kjellstadli
  • Adrian Søfteland Midtgard
  • Leonardo Amorsolo
  • Lillian Slåbakk
  • Mathias Nilsen
Mileo "Frankenstein"
  • Audun Agnar Guldbrandsen
  • Farida Louise Bolseth Benounis
  • Miles Curtis Sesselmann
Raylee "Where Did Your Friend Go"
Sander Silva and Victorjus "Fritt fall"
  • Sander Gran
  • Stine Øen
  • Torjus Fluge Fornes
  • Trym Olstad
Silke "Forevermore"
  • Audun Agnar Guldbrandsen
  • Hannah Theuma
  • Patrik Jean
  • Silje Montsko Blandkjenn
Skrellex "Into the Wild"
Storm "Lullaby"
  • Erlend Torheim
  • Jonas Wesetrud Hansen
  • Leo Davadi Sundli
  • Martin Stenstad Selen
  • Nora Eklo
Thomas Jenssen "Smalltown"
  • Carl-Henrik Wahl
  • Jakob Mihoubi
  • Rudy Daouk
  • Simon Peyron
  • Thomas Jenssen
Vika Anonymous "Har du itte vørri på toten før?"
  • Chris Tsika Kabala
  • Gustav Fredholm
  • Jørgen Ulsrud
  • Kjersti Sleveland
  • Torgeir Ryssevik

MGP-cupen

MGP-cupen took place between 20 and 26 January 2026 and consisted of three rounds of public voting. The first round featured four daily duels between 20 and 24 January 2026 and the winners of the duels proceeded to the second round which featured two daily duels on 24 and 25 January 202. The winners of each duel proceeded to the last round on 26 January 2026, where the winner, "Into the Wild" performed by Skrellex, proceeded to the final.[8][9]

On 25 January 2026, Sander Silva and Victorjus announced their withdrawal from the competition, also citing Israel's participation in Eurovision amidst the Gaza war as the reason.[18]

First round – 20–23 January 2026
Duel Date Artist Song Result
I 20 January Skrellex "Into the Wild" Advanced
Emmy "Sykt fin" N/a
II 21 January Gothminister "The Spell" Advanced
Vika Anonymous "Har du itte vørri på toten før?" N/a
III 22 January Aranja "Pyjamas Song" N/a
Sander Silva and Victorjus "Fritt fall" Advanced
IV 23 January Raylee "Where Did Your Friend Go" Advanced
Thomas Jenssen "Smalltown" N/a
Second round – 24–25 January 2026
Duel Date Artist Song Result
I 24 January Skrellex "Into the Wild" Advanced
Gothminister "The Spell" N/a
II 25 January Sander Silva and Victorjus "Fritt fall" Withdrew
Raylee "Where Did Your Friend Go" Advanced
Final round – 26 January 2026
Artist Song Result
Raylee "Where Did Your Friend Go" N/a
Skrellex "Into the Wild" Advanced

Final

Eight pre-qualified entries and the winner of MGP-cupen competed in the final, held on 28 February 2026. The winner, "Ya Ya Ya" performed by Jonas Lovv, was selected by a combination of a public vote (60%) and votes from eight international juries (40%). The viewers had a total of 516 points to award, while the juries had a total of 344 points to award. Each jury group distributed their points as follows: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 points. The viewer vote was based on the percentage of votes each song achieved. For example, if a song gained 10% of the viewer vote, then that entry would be awarded 10% of 516 points rounded to the nearest integer: 52 points.[19][10] In addition to the performances of the competing entries, the show was opened by Kyle Alessandro, who represented Norway in 2025, performing his entry "Lighter".[20]

Detailed international jury votes
R/O Song
Switzerland
Sweden
Armenia
United Kingdom
Estonia
Croatia
Belgium
Denmark
 Total
1 "Into the Wild" 41112615
2 "Snap Back" 21222211
3 "Lullaby" 24421114
4 "Frankenstein" 108610641054
5 "Forevermore" 0
6 "Rise" 610888881066
7 "Northern Lights" 161466428
8 "Prayer" 8410610104860
9 "Ya Ya Ya" 121212121212121296
International jury members and spokespersons[22]
Country Jury members
 Armenia
 Belgium
 Croatia
  • Luka Grgić
  • Maja Tokic
  • Robert Urlic
  • Tomislav Stengl (jury leader)
  • Zlata Mück Sušec (spokesperson)
 Denmark
  • Anders Ugilt Andersen
  • Bryan Rice
  • Molly Plank (jury leader and spokesperson)
  • Ralf Richardt Strøbech
  • Tilde Vinther
 Estonia
  • Alice Aleksandridi
  • Karl Killing
  • Mihkel Sirelpuu
  • Riin Vann (jury leader and spokesperson)
 Sweden
  • Malin Wiklund
  • Mathias Bridfelt
  • Natalie Carrion (jury leader and spokesperson)
  • Natasha Azarmi
  • Robert Sehlberg
  Switzerland
  • Adrian Graf
  • Gian Rosen
  • Leonie Meier
  • Nadine Schärer
  • Nina Mathys (jury leader and spokesperson)
 United Kingdom
  • Andrew Cartmell (jury leader)
  • Curtis Thewlis
  • Lindsay Dracass (spokesperson)
  • Robin Wallington
  • Tim Woodcock

At Eurovision

In January, Norway was drawn to compete in the second half of the second semi-final.

On May 14, 2026, Jonas Lovv took the stage for Norway, performing his song "Ya Ya Ya" in the second semi-final. He qualified for the Grand Final.

On May 16, 2026, Lovv performed 23rd in the Grand Final. He secured a total of 134 points (115 jury points and 19 public points), placing Norway in 14th place.[23]

Voting

Points awarded to Norway

Points awarded by Norway

Detailed voting results

Each participating broadcaster assembles a seven-member jury panel consisting of music industry professionals who are citizens of the country they represent and two of which have to be between 18 and 25 years old. Each jury, and individual jury member, is required to meet a strict set of criteria regarding professional background, as well as diversity in gender and age. No member of a national jury was permitted to be related in any way to any of the competing acts in such a way that they cannot vote impartially and independently.[26] The individual rankings of each jury member as well as the nation's televoting results were released shortly after the grand final.

The following members comprised the Norwegian jury:[25]

  • Daniel Grindeland
  • Jørn Kristian Dahl
  • Kevin Haugan
  • Hanne Sørvaag
  • Ingrid Vårvik
  • Janne Monsen Tveit
  • Regina Tucker
Detailed voting results from Norway (Semi-final 2)[24]
R/O Country Jury Televote
Juror A Juror B Juror C Juror D Juror E Juror F Juror G Rank Points Rank Points
01  Bulgaria565388356210
02  Azerbaijan12141113121371314
03  Romania321429753847
04  Luxembourg141191113441211
05  Czechia9102541024792
06  Armenia4777106129213
07   Switzerland612810751111101
08  Cyprus7366514136512
09  Latvia11912141412141483
10  Denmark1111111112112
11  Australia254429921065
12  Ukraine8810811268356
13  Albania10431261187438
14  Malta1313139331010174
15  Norway
Detailed voting results from Norway (Final)[25]
R/O Country Jury Televote
Juror A Juror B Juror C Juror D Juror E Juror F Juror G Rank Points Rank Points
01  Denmark3612111112112
02  Germany21161722131191722
03  Israel971610521510165
04  Belgium192324192015192323
05  Albania6151213147221383
06  Greece22131017816111514
07  Ukraine1219157125101292
08  Australia414763364756
09  Serbia202118211814242215
10  Malta231714122117142018
11  Czechia111205156129219
12  Bulgaria1312684478338
13  Croatia72213151918231816
14  United Kingdom151822182219162121
15  France2211121020210101
16  Moldova8108232423171612
17  Finland1433399438210
18  Poland5521201721181411
19  Lithuania172419242324212417
20  Sweden1895471337474
21  Cyprus164411102081120
22  Italy10191461256513
23  Norway
24  Romania2482911825647
25  Austria112023161622131924

References

  1. ↑ "Norway – Participation history". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  2. ↑ Farren, Neil (19 June 2025). "🇳🇴 Norway: Eurovision 2026 Participation Confirmed". Eurovoix. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  3. 1 2 Conte, Davide (20 June 2025). "🇳🇴 Norway: MGP 2026 Song Submission Window Open". Eurovoix. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  4. 1 2 Conte, Davide (20 November 2025). "🇳🇴 Norway: MGP 2026 on February 28". Eurovoix. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  5. ↑ Fjørtoft, Kristine Elise (8 January 2026). "Her er programlederne for årets MGP-finale". NRK (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  6. ↑ Talseth, Thomas (2 March 2026). "Historisk lavt Melodi Grand Prix-seertall for NRK". VG (in Norwegian). Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  7. ↑ Conte, Davide (2 March 2026). "🇳🇴 Norway: Lowest Audience Ever for a Melodi Grand Prix Final". Eurovoix. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  8. 1 2 Conte, Davide (20 January 2026). "🇳🇴 Norway: Melodi Grand Prix 2026 Wildcard Acts Revealed". Eurovoix. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  9. 1 2 "Disse skal kjempe om den siste finalebilletten i MGP". kommunikasjon.ntb.no (in Norwegian). Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  10. 1 2 Paulsrud, Ingeborg Tveit (28 February 2026). "Slik stemmer du i Melodi Grand Prix 2026". NRK (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  11. ↑ Conte, Davide (20 June 2025). "🇳🇴 Norway: MGP 2026 Song Submission Window Open". Eurovoix. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  12. ↑ Pettersen, Mandy (20 June 2025). "Påmeldingen til MGP 2026 har åpnet -" (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  13. ↑ ESC-Panelen (19 January 2026). "Startfältet i Norsk MGP 2026 presenterat". ESC-Panelen (in Swedish). Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  14. ↑ Sand, Camilla (12 January 2026). "Akkrediteringsvarsel til Melodi Grand Prix - artistlansering". NRK (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  15. 1 2 Hjetland, Geir Bjarte (20 January 2026). "No kan du stemme på din favoritt til den siste finaleplassen i MGP". NRK (in Norwegian Nynorsk). Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  16. ↑ Kurseth, Hedda (16 January 2026). "Ylvis trekker seg fra MGP: – Ikke mulig for oss å stå inne for det" [Ylvis withdraws from MGP: 'It's impossible for us to stand by it']. VG (in Norwegian). Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  17. ↑ Hjetland, Geir Bjarte (19 January 2026). "Her er dei åtte første finalistane i Melodi Grand Prix". NRK (in Norwegian Nynorsk). Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  18. ↑ Fredriksen, Håkon Borge (25 January 2026). "Trekker seg fra MGP: – Tragisk at Israel får delta" [Withdraws from MGP: – Tragic that Israel is allowed to participate] (in Norwegian Bokmål). TV 2. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  19. ↑ "JONAS LOVV wins 'Melodi Grand Prix' in Norway". Eurovision Song Contest. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  20. ↑ Conte, Davide (28 February 2026). "🇳🇴 Norway: Jonas Lovv To Eurovision 2026". Eurovoix. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  21. ↑ Einangshaug, Henrik (28 February 2026). "Jonas Lovv vant Melodi Grand Prix 2026". NRK (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  22. ↑ Hjetland, Geir Bjarte (2 March 2026). "Dette var den internasjonale juryen for Melodi Grand Prix" [This was the international jury for Melodi Grand Prix] (in Norwegian Bokmål). NRK. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  23. ↑ Eurovision world (May 17, 2026)
  24. 1 2 3 "Voting data". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  25. 1 2 3 4 "Voting data". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  26. ↑ "How the Eurovision Song Contest works". European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
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