Greece goes big (again): “Sing for Greece 2026” is three nights, 28 songs and zero chill
Greece has looked at the Eurovision calendar, sighed dramatically, and decided that one night simply wouldn’t do.
ERT has officially unveiled “Sing for Greece – National Final 2026”, a three-show national selection designed to do what Greece loves most: mix music, spectacle, tension, and just enough chaos to keep Twitter awake until 2am.
The mission is clear. One song will emerge victorious and go on to represent Greece at the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. The journey there, however, will take two semi-finals and one grand final, spread across a full Eurovision-flavoured week in February.
Dates, times and the full Greek commitment
The format is simple on paper and intense in practice:
- Semi-Final 1: Wednesday 11 February 2026, 21:00
- Semi-Final 2: Friday 13 February 2026, 21:00
- Grand Final: Sunday 15 February 2026, 21:00
All three shows will air live on ERT1, with streaming via ERTFLIX, including accessibility services. Because drama is best enjoyed live, but inclusively.
Familiar faces, trusted hands
Hosting duties are split between three names that scream “ERT knows what it’s doing”:
Giorgos Kapoutzidis, Betty Maggira and Katerina Vrana. Expect quick wit, controlled chaos and at least one moment that becomes a reaction GIF.
Behind the scenes, artistic direction and staging are handled by Fokas Evangelinos, which is essentially Greece saying: relax, the staging will be fine.
How the selection works (and where the stress kicks in)
A total of 28 artists will compete across the two semi-finals, performing in the running order determined by draw. Qualification to the final is decided exclusively by public vote, because nothing says national unity like disagreeing over qualifiers.
The Grand Final changes the rules: the winner will be chosen through a combination of public voting, a Greek jury, and an international jury. Translation: expect debates.
Semi-Final 1 – 11 February
Fourteen songs open the week, mixing English, Greek, pop, introspection and at least one title that feels designed to be shouted in caps lock:
- Alexandra Sieti – The Other Side
- THE Astrolabe – Drop It
- Desi G – Aphrodite
- Akylas – Ferto
- Evangelia – Paréa
- Panagiotis Tsakalakos – 2nd Chance
- Niya – Slipping Away
- Marseaux – Χάνομαι
- Rosanna Mailan – Άλμα
- STEFI – Europa
- Revery – The Songwriter
- Dinamiss – Chaos
- STYLIANOS – YOU & I
- Spheyiaa – Χίλια Κομμάτια
Yes, there is a song literally called Chaos. No further comment needed.
Semi-Final 2 – 13 February
Another fourteen acts take over two days later, and the titles alone suggest this night will not be emotionally subtle:
- RIKKI – AGAPI
- GARVIN – Back in the Game
- Mikay – Labyrinth
- Marika – Daughters of the Sun (A, E, I, O, U)
- D3lta – Mad About It
- ZAF – ASTEIO
- KIANNA – No More Drama
- Stella Kay – You Are The Fire
- TIANORA – Anatello
- Victoria Anastasia – Whatcha Doin To Me
- BASILICA – Set Everything On Fire
- good job Nicky – Dark Side of the Moon
- KOZA MOSTRA – Bulletproof
- leroybroughtflowers – SABOTAGE!
Between No More Drama and SABOTAGE!, Greece is clearly aiming for emotional balance.
Three nights, one ticket to Vienna
With strong hosting, a proven creative director, and a line-up that feels intentionally varied, “Sing for Greece 2026” is shaping up as one of the more ambitious national finals of the season.
Three nights. Twenty-eight songs. One winner.
And absolutely no chance of a quiet comment section.
Bingo card ready.
Source: ERT
