In less than three weeks, Melodifestivalen 2026 will kick off in Linköping, and now the running order of the competing entries has been revealed. With Gina Dirawi and Hampus Nessvold as hosts, six weeks of musical joy await, where newcomers and veterans meet in exciting heats that promise something for everyone.
Melodifestivalen is Sweden’s biggest celebration, where anything can happen — somtheing that KAJ’s victory and enormous success in 2025 clearly proved. This year’s competition sees several fan favorites making a comeback, while half of the line-up consists of debutants. Greczula, last year’s bronze medalist, opens the competition, and young new names such as Felix Manu, Klara Almström and Emilia Pantić represent the strength of Swedish pop. AleXa and A*Teens frame the show with an international touch, and former winner Sanna Nielsen returns as the closing act of heat five.
competition producer Karin Gunnarsson
Heat 1 – Saturday, 31 January 2026
Linköping, Saab Arena
- Half of Me – Greczula
Songwriters: Andreas Weling, Karl Ivert, Kian Sang, Greczula - Woman – Jacqline
Songwriters: Dino Medanhodzic, Jimmy Jansson, Moa “Cazzi Opeia” Carlebecker, Thomas G:son - Berusade ord – noll2
Songwriters: Fredrik Andersson, Jakob Westerlund, Wilmer Öberg - Copacabana Boy – Junior Lerin
Songwriters: Fredrik Andersson - Beautiful Lie – Indra
Songwriters: Anderz Wrethov, Indra, Kristofer Strandberg, Laurell Barker, Robert Skowronski - Iconic – A*Teens
Songwriters: Dino Medanhodzic, Jimmy Jansson, Lina Hansson, Moa “Cazzi Opeia” Carlebecker, Thomas G:son
Heat 2 – Saturday, 7 February 2026
Gothenburg, Scandinavium
- Glitter – Arwin
Songwriters: Arwin Ismail, Axel Schylström, Dino Medanhodzic, Melanie Wehbe, Robert Skowronski - Oxygen – Laila Adèle
Songwriters: Jonas Thander, Laila Adèle, Marcus Winther-John - Honey Honey – Robin Bengtsson
Songwriters: Gavin Jones, Pär Westerlund, Petter Tarland, Robin Bengtsson - My System – FELICIA
Songwriters: Audun Agnar, Emily Harbakk, FELICIA, Julie Bergan, Theresa Rex - Där hela världen väntar – Klara Almström
Songwriters: Fredrik Sonefors, Jimmy Jansson, Klara Almström - Rakt in i elden – Brandsta City Släckers
Songwriters: Anderz Wrethov, Elin Wrethov, Kristofer Strandberg, Robert Skowronski
Heat 3 – Saturday, 14 February 2026
Kristianstad, Kristianstad Arena
- Dusk Till Dawn – Patrik Jean
Songwriters: David Lindgren Zacharias, Joy Deb, Melanie Wehbe, Patrik Jean - King of Rock ’n’ Roll – Korslagda
Songwriters: Andreas Werling, Pedro Sanchez, Kristofer Strandberg, Stefan “UBBE” Sjur - Ingenting – Emilia Pantić
Songwriters: Emilia Pantić, Fredrik Andersson, Jakob Westerlund, Theodor Ström, Wilmer Öberg - Viva L’Amor – Medina
Songwriters: Ali Jammali, Anderz Wrethov, Dino Medanhodzic, Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt, Sami Rekik - Selfish – Eva Jumatate
Songwriters: Eva Jumatate, Herman Gardarfve, Marlene Strand, Ruth Lindegren - Ain’t Today – Saga Ludvigsson
Songwriters: Dino Medanhodzic, Jimmy Jansson, Johanna “Dotter” Jansson, Saga Ludvigsson
Heat 4 – Saturday, 21 February 2026
Malmö, Malmö Arena
- Eternity – Cimberly
Songwriters: Cimberly-Malaika Wanyonyi, David Lindgren Zacharias, Dino Medanhodzic, Melanie Wehbe - Ingenting är efter oss – Timo Räisänen
Songwriters: Andreas “Giri” Lindbergh, Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt, Joy Deb, Lina Räisänen, Linnea Deb, Timo Räisänen - Dooset Daram – Meira Omar
Songwriters: Anderz Wrethov, Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt, Laurell Barker, Meira Omar - Hatar att jag älskar dig – Felix Manu
Songwriters: Axel Schylström, Felix Manu, FERNAND MP, Karl Flyckt - Från landet – Erika Jonsson
Songwriters: Amir Aly, Erika Jonsson, Mikael Karlsson - Hollow – Smash Into Pieces
Songwriters: Benjamin Jennebo, Chris Adam Hedman Sörbye, Per Bergquist, Philip Strand
Heat 5 – Saturday, 28 February 2026
Sundsvall, Gärdehov Arena
- Tongue Tied – AleXa
Songwriters: AleXa, Moonshine (Jonatan Gusmark & Ludvig Evers), Sunshine (Ellen Berg & Moa “Cazzi Opeia” Carlebecker) - Långt från alla andra – JULIETT
Songwriters: David Själin, Elias Kask, Herman Gardarfve, Ludvig Alamanos, Romeo Er-Melin, Valter Wigren - Who You Are – Bladë
Songwriters: Isa Tengblad, Josefina Carlbom - Delulu – Lilla Al-Fadji
Songwriters: Daniel Réhn, Edward af Sillén, Lilla Al-Fadji, Fredrik Sonefors, Melanie Wehbe, Mikaela Samuelsson - Hearts Don’t Lie – Vilhelm Buchaus
Songwriters: David Zandén, Isa Molin, Vilhelm Buchaus - Waste Your Love – Sanna Nielsen
Songwriters: Jimmy Jansson, Peter Boström, Thomas G:son