They gave us Epic Sax Guy, Sugar, and some deranged brides. And now Moldova has gifted us their return to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2026. After taking a one-year break from Eurovision, state broadcaster Teleradio-Moldova has officially confirmed its return for Vienna. On top of that, it will choose its act with a revamped national selection — complete with new producers, a larger jury, and a fresh approach to finding the next Moldovan Eurovision star. Lessss go!
Moldova confirms return to Eurovision 2026 with new national selection format
Moldova’s new national selection format
Following consultations with artists, producers, and key figures from the local music industry, TRM has decided to shake things up. The broadcaster is implementing a new national selection format. It’s reportedly inspired by successful European models but adapted to Moldovan musical traditions and talent. As Timpul reports, two official producers will steer the national final:
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Serghei Orlov – a Eurovision veteran with extensive experience supporting artists on the international stage
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Roman Burlaca – one of Moldova’s most acclaimed music video directors and producers, known for his collaborations with top Moldovan artists.
Their involvement aims to ensure a professional, transparent, and credible selection process that focuses on artistic quality and international competitiveness. You’ll recall that in January Moldova withdrew from Eurovision 2025, citing a lack of quality in its national final participants at the live audition.
TRM will open song submissions on November 7, and the window will stay open for 30 days. Entries must be original compositions and can be submitted via eurovision@trm.md. Full participation details and contest rules are available on TRM’s official website.
To ensure fairness and objectivity, the 2026 Moldovan national final will feature a 20-member jury — including five international experts alongside fifteen national members. That’s a serious level-up from previous years.
Eurovision 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest and the 20th participation of Moldova. To celebrate this double milestone, TRM is offering the national winner a special prize to support their preparations for the international stage. The two official producers, Orlov and Burlaca, will also mentor the winner to help craft a strong, competitive performance for the big show.
Martin Green, Executive Supervisor of Eurovision, shared his excitement about Moldova’s return:
“We are delighted to welcome TRM back to the contest after a year of absence. Moldova’s return reminds us of the power of our community, the strength of our values, and what it truly means to be united through music.”
Since debuting in 2005, Moldova has brought us countless Eurovision gems — from Zdob și Zdub’s wild folk-rock antics to SunStroke Project’s iconic “Epic Sax Guy” moment. Their best-ever result came in 2017, when SunStroke Project finished 3rd with the unforgettable “Hey Mamma”.
Are you excited for Moldova’s comeback? Do you like the idea of a new national selection format — and which Moldovan artists would you love to see throw their hat in the ring for Eurovision 2026?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
rest in peace, televised live auditions
Ho Ho Ho this gets better. More returnees. Have those other 5 still threatening to withdraw left the building yet! 13 in each semi final now to date. Who said Christmas doesn’t come early.
Was there any doubt Moldova would return? Hopefully the year off gave them the time to recalibrate and revitalize themselves.
It’s Quantity over Quality for the EBU apparently.
After one unfortunate absence, welcome come Moldavia !!!
I wish I could cheer this the way I’d want to to but I can’t. It’s so obvious what EBU is doing. They know they are losing countries this year because it’s obvious that I*r*e* will be participating so they are trying to patch things up by bringing these countries back by offering them cheaper things. Honestly, this is so low. It’s so gross. I need to rethink where I stand with Eurovision at this point because I’m not sure I can be supporting it anymore.
So we’ll have 3 out and 3 in then.
Oh well….
Welcome back Moldova, I guess…but I think it’s time for me to dip out of this, for now anyways. I no longer enjoy it and I haven’t done in about 3 years. The EBU has sold out big time, and Eurovision will forever be political. Time we bailed. Sweden, take the record.
Slán Leat x
This is just all so fishy. It’s looks they’re bringing countries back to make up for the possible withdrawal of countries that gave the EBU an ultimatum about we know who, instead of just taking accountability and actually having the balls to ban them after all the inhuman things they did. The EBU is showing their true colors once again. On the other hand it’s certainly great to see these countries back.
I like the way this is looking! Three returning countries in one year is already making my heart happy, plus North Macedonia look like they haven’t shut the door yet and Kazakhstan may or may not be getting invited if the rumor mill is to believed. (That would leave Monaco as the only other plausible returnee remaining; since Bosnia and Herzegovina, Andorra, and Slovakia aren’t coming back and I would doubt Turkey and Hungary are coming back, although who knows if the former might be swayed if Israel gets the boot).
Here’s to hoping the EBU general meeting goes the way we want it to (cheers?)
Also, sweet, more countries returning
I really hope these changes will shake things up and allow Moldova to send a serious song that is actually good. I mean we all love Moldova for what it is in the contest but at some point you have to change. During its 20 years of participation Moldova reached the top10 5 times, which is pretty good, but when you look at the songs that made it, only Natalia Barbu in 2007 had a “serious” song and it placed 10th. All their other top 10 finishes have been achieved thanks to funny songs and eccentric performances. That’s not a… Read more »
I am loving this. Country after country. I am not loving that the EBU will get away with everything yet again. It’s no coincidence these countries are all gonna be back now. This means the EBU always has the power to bring back all of Europe if they want to.I demand the return of Andorra, Monaco, North Macedonia and BiH, too.