The countdown to Eurovision 2026 has officially begun — and all eyes are on RTL Luxembourg, where 58 hopefuls are auditioning for their chance to shine on one of Europe’s biggest stages.
From 24–26 October, RTL is hosting the Luxembourg Song Contest (LSC) 2026 auditions, with artists performing 83 original songs. Each act is competing for a coveted spot in the televised Rockhal final, set for 24 January 2026. The winner will go on to represent Luxembourg at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna, taking place 12–16 May.
Who Can Represent Luxembourg?
To qualify, artists must meet at least one of three criteria:
Hold Luxembourgish nationality, Have three or more years of residency, or Demonstrate a strong cultural link to the country.
This year’s talent pool reflects Luxembourg’s diversity: 70% of participants are nationals, 25% qualified through residency, and 5% through cultural ties. Organisers highlight the inclusive mix of backgrounds — 47% are solely Luxembourgish, 22% hold dual nationality, and 30% come from other countries and continents. Gender representation is described as “roughly equal.”
A Multilingual Stage
Language diversity is also a hallmark of this year’s entries. English leads the way with 59% of submissions, while nearly 30% of songs blend two languages — most often English and French. Around 10% are written entirely in French, and 7% include Luxembourgish lyrics. In total, six languages are represented, including Portuguese, Spanish, and German.
Changes to the Rules
Two updates shaped this year’s qualification process:
Artists could submit a maximum of three songs (previously five). A new “team-up list” connected singers and songwriters, encouraging collaboration.
Of the 28 registered singers, 23 ultimately submitted a song — compared to 53 artists and 79 songs in last year’s open call.
An International Jury
An expert international jury will decide who advances to the Rockhal final. The lineup includes:
- Karin Gunnarsson, Contest Producer for Sweden’s Melodifestivalen
- Gísli Berg, Executive Producer of Iceland’s Söngvakeppnin
- Paul “Dr Eurovision” Jordan, UK Eurovision commentator and analyst
- Ludovic-Alexandre Vidal, lyricist and co-writer of Luxembourg’s 2025 entry
- Elsie Bay, Norwegian singer-songwriter
The 17 finalists will be officially announced on 30 October, marking the next big step in Luxembourg’s exciting return to the Eurovision spotlight.
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