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Germany will pick its Eurovision 2026 entry through a straightforward national final, with ARD confirming that Südwestrundfunk (SWR) will now take charge of the process.
The show is scheduled for late February 2026 and will be broadcast live on Das Erste. Unlike recent years, there will be no casting show or multi-week format, and private broadcaster RTL and long-time Eurovision figure Stefan Raab will not be involved.
Instead, entries will be assessed first by the ESC editorial team, focusing on artistic and vocal quality. Expert juries will then review the shortlist, with the final line-up competing in a single televised show. The winner will be decided by a mix of public televote and jury input, though the exact weighting has not yet been confirmed.
This marks the first major change since SWR took over responsibility for Germany’s Eurovision participation from NDR earlier this year, following ARD’s internal restructuring.
Germany has struggled in recent contests, frequently finishing at or near the bottom of the scoreboard. The move to a simpler, broadcaster-controlled format is seen as an attempt to reset and deliver a stronger showing in Vienna.
What’s next
ARD/SWR will publish the full regulations in the coming weeks, including submission deadlines, eligibility criteria, and the final voting split. The exact date and venue for the national final are also to be confirmed.
Eurovision 2026 takes place at Vienna’s Wiener Stadthalle, with semi-finals on 12 and 14 May and the grand final on 16 May.
Sources: ARD, SWR, Bild, Eurovoix
