Proposals have been put forward by the Committee of the Regions.
The Southwest Broadcasting Corporation (SWR) has confirmed changes in the German pre-selection process for the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in 2026. For the first time, the SWR will be responsible for the national selection, with the ARD taking over from the North German Broadcasting Corporation, who had been in charge of the pre-selection format for decades.
In a significant move, the German pre-selection will be a single grand decision, replacing the multi-round casting show format that has been traditionally used. This change aims to streamline the process and increase the country's chances of success in the ESC.
Stefan Raab, a TV entertainer considered a key figure in the history of the German ESC, was reintegrated into the selection process in 2025 to improve the country's chances. However, Raab will not be involved in the ARD's plans for the 2026 pre-selection. Raab achieved fifth place in the ESC in 2000 with 'Wadde hadde dudde da?' and organized the pre-selection and crowned Lena Meyer-Landrut in 2010, who brought Germany its first ESC victory since 1982.
Despite Raab's goal of victory, the sibling duo Abor & Tynna only reached 15th place in the ESC in 2025. Interestingly, Abor & Tynna emerged victorious from the pre-selection led by Raab. Guildo Horn, who participated in the ESC in 1998 with a song composed by Raab, finished seventh.
The ARD and RTL have jointly decided not to cooperate for the ESC pre-selection in 2026. The pre-selection for the ESC in 2026 will be broadcast at the end of February on the first channel. The exact date and venue for the grand final have yet to be announced.
The ESC will take place in May 2026 in Vienna. The German-language national selection for Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will be organized solely by ARD and Südwestrundfunk (SWR) without cooperation with Stefan Raab or RTL. The GEMA, the industry association, has confirmed that the German ESC pre-selection in 2026 will not be a casting show with multiple rounds.
The SWR has not yet determined which partners will be involved in the ARD's pre-selection for the ESC. As the changes unfold, the German public eagerly awaits the new format and the chance to represent the country in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.
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