Junior Eurovision 2023 participant Viola Gjyzeli is among the artists hoping to represent San Marino at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna, Austria.
Albania’s Junior Eurovision 2023 participant Viola Gjyzeli is among the artists who are taking part in the casting round for the Dreaming San Marino Song Contest 2026. She joins a number of acts from across Europe who have competed previously in Eurovision national selections or the Song Contest itself, who are hoping their route to Eurovision in 2026 is through San Marino.
Viola Gjyzeli represented Albania at Junior Eurovision 2023 in Nice, France with “Bota Ime”. She finished 8th scoring 115 points, including 12 points from the jury of Portugal.
A number of artists who have previously competed in national selections for the Eurovision Song Contest across Europe are also taking part in the Casting Round. They are:
- Sheila – Placed 3rd in Festivali i Këngës 64
- ELYSA – Past Eesti Laul participant
- MIRUD – Past participant in Festivali i Këngës
- Magdalena Tul – Poland Eurovision 2011 representative
- PolarAce – Competed in EMA 2025
- Zeleno – Participated in the auditions for the Moldovan selection in 2026
- Xannova Xan – Ethnikos Telikos 2025 participant
- Energia – United Kingdom national selection participant in 1998
Casting is currently underway and will be used to determine the artists who progress to the ‘Stage & Live Academy’ phase. The ‘Stage & Live Academy’ phase will consist of eight sessions, with 30 singers in each session. To participate in this phase participants must pay a fee of €150.00, unless the participant is from San Marino, then they will pay €50.00. Singers at this phase may only compete with one song. From each session, a jury will select five singers to qualify for the semi-finals of the San Marino Song Contest. They will then compete in two semi-finals on March 2 and 3, consisting of 20 singers each, and five acts from each semi-final will qualify for the final.
The final of the San Marino Song Contest 2026 will be held on March 6. 20 acts will compete, ten from the Dreaming San Marino Song Contest and ten established acts who are prequalified for the final. The winner will be determined by a five-member jury.
Source: Dreaming San Marino Song Contest
San Marino debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2008 alongside Azerbaijan. Miodio represented San Marino on their debut with the song “Complice”, and finished last in their semi-final with just 5 points. San Marino withdrew from the contest before returning again in 2011. Since then, the country has participated annually. San Marino first qualified for the final in 2014 and has gone on to qualify for the final on three further occasions, most recently in 2025.
