Azerbaijan has officially started its journey toward the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, with national broadcaster İTV announcing the launch of its internal selection process. The chosen artist will go on to represent the country on the Eurovision stage in Vienna next May.
The announcement was made via İTV’s official social media channels, confirming that the broadcaster will once again opt for an internal format rather than a televised national final. Interested artists and songwriters are invited to submit their applications and entries by 18 January, sending their material to song@eurovision.az.
According to the guidelines shared by İTV, all submitted songs must be fully completed versions and must adhere strictly to the Eurovision Song Contest rules. Entries should not exceed three minutes in length and, crucially, must remain unreleased prior to 1 September 2025. This includes commercial releases as well as any form of public broadcast or media exposure, ensuring that Azerbaijan’s eventual entry meets the competition’s eligibility criteria.
The internal selection approach has been a familiar strategy for Azerbaijan over the years, allowing the broadcaster to carefully curate its Eurovision entry with a strong focus on international appeal and competitive staging. With Vienna set to host the 2026 contest, expectations are high that İTV will be aiming for a return to form after a challenging year.
At Eurovision 2025, Azerbaijan was represented by Mamagama with the song “Run With U”. Despite a committed performance, the group finished last in their semi-final, collecting just seven points. It marked the first time Azerbaijan ended a semi-final in last place, a result that has inevitably sparked reflection within the delegation.
As the submission window opens, all eyes will be on İTV to see what musical direction Azerbaijan chooses next. Will the country embrace a bold reinvention, or double down on a proven formula with a modern twist? With months still to go before a final decision is revealed, the race to become Azerbaijan’s Eurovision 2026 representative has officially begun.
Source: Ictimaieurovision
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