Tallinn, Estonia — 14 February 2026: Estonia’s national selection Eesti Laul 2026 concluded this evening at the Unibet Arena in Tallinn, with Vanilla Ninja winning the televised final and earning the right to represent Estonia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna, Austria. The final featured twelve competing entries, with a mixed voting format — 50% international jury and 50% public televote deciding the top three, followed by a public-only Superfinal to determine the winner.
Complete Line-Up of Eesti Laul 2026 Finalists
All twelve acts who competed for Estonia’s Eurovision ticket on 14 February were:
- Clicherik & Mäx – “Jolly Roger”
- Robert Linna – “Metsik roos”
- Grete Paia – “Taevas jäi üles”
- Laura Prits – “Warrior”
- Uliana Olhyna – “Rhythm of Nature”
- Ollie – “Slave”
- Marta Pikani – “Kell kuus”
- NOËP – “Days Like This”
- Getter Jaani – “The Game”
- ANT x Minimal Wind – “Wounds (Don’t Wanna Fall)”
- Vanilla Ninja – “Too Epic To Be True”
- Stockholm Cowboys – Stig Rästa & Victor Crone – “Last Man Standing”
This field brought together a range of musical styles, from contemporary pop and alternative to rock-inflected and more experimental sounds, underlining Eesti Laul’s continued reputation as a platform for both established and emerging Estonian artists.
Final Results
Following the first round of voting, three acts advanced to the Superfinal:
- Vanilla Ninja — “Too Epic To Be True” (Winner)
- NOËP — “Days Like This” (2nd)
- Ollie — “Slave” (3rd)After a reset of votes in the Superfinal, Vanilla Ninja received the highest share of public votes and was declared the winner.
Vanilla Ninja: From Eurovision 2005 to 2026
Vanilla Ninja’s victory is notable not only for its strong performance on the night, but for the group’s Eurovision pedigree. The all-female band first entered the Eurovision sphere two decades ago — not for Estonia, but for Switzerland at Eurovision 2005, where they finished eighth with the song “Cool Vibes.” That result remains one of Switzerland’s stronger placements in the contest during the 2000s.
Now returning to Eurovision under the Estonian flag with “Too Epic To Be True”, Vanilla Ninja bring both experience and renewed ambition to the 2026 competition in Vienna. Their selection continues Estonia’s recent trend of leveraging established performers alongside newer voices — a strategy that has delivered some of the country’s more competitive entries in recent years.
Context and Broader Field
Eesti Laul 2026 blended veteran performers and newer artists. Among the finalists were familiar names from previous national selections and Eurovision history:
- Getter Jaani, who represented Estonia at Eurovision 2011 with “Rockefeller Street.”
- Stockholm Cowboys, featuring Stig Rästa (Estonia 2015) and Victor Crone (Estonia 2019).
- Grete Paia and Ollie, longstanding competitors in Estonia’s selection scene.
This mix of experience underscores Eesti Laul’s role as a showcase for both legacy acts and evolving Estonian pop trends.
Next Step: Eurovision 2026 in Vienna
With Vanilla Ninja as Estonia’s delegate, Eesti Laul 2026 concludes a competitive national selection season in Northern Europe. Their performance in Vienna will take place in Semi-Final 1 on 12 May 2026, where Estonia aims to build on strong recent showings, including a top-three finish at Eurovision 2025. How “Too Epic To Be True” will resonate across the European audience remains an open question, but the group’s experience and fan recognition provide a solid foundation for the campaign ahead.
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