Iceland made its debut in Eurovision in 1986 and is one of a minority of countries in Europe not to have participated in any other Eurovision formats outside of the Song Contest.
Iceland in Eurovision
Having broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest since 1970, Iceland made their debut in the contest in 1986. To date, the countries best results are two second-place finishes in 1999 and 2009. Iceland regularly achieves the highest viewing share of any country in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Iceland’s results are:
- 1986 – ICY – “Gleðibankinn” – 16th – 19 points
- 1987 – Halla Margrét – “Hægt og hljótt” – 16th – 28 points
- 1988 – Beathoven – “Sókrates” – 16th – 20 points
- 1989 – Daniel – “Það sem enginn sér” – 22nd – 0 points
- 1990 – Stjórnin – “Eitt lag enn” – 4th – 124 points
- 1991 – Stefán and Eyfi – “Nína” – 15th – 26 points
- 1992 – Heart 2 Heart – “Nei eða já” – 7th – 80 points
- 1993 – Inga – “Þá veistu svarið” – 13th – 42 points
- 1994 – Sigga – “Nætur” – 12th – 49 points
- 1995 – Bo Halldórsson – “Núna” – 15th – 31 points
- 1996 – Anna Mjöll – “Sjúbídú” – 13th – 51 points
- 1997 – Paul Oscar – “Minn hinsti dans” – 20th – 18 points
- 1999 – Selma – “All Out of Luck” – 2nd – 146 points
- 2000 – August and Telam – “Tell Me!” – 12th – 45 points
- 2001 – Two Tricky – “Angel” – 22nd – 3 points
- 2003 – Birgitta – “Open Your Heart” – 8th – 81 points
- 2004 – Jónsi – “Heaven” – 19th – 16 points
- 2005 – Selma – “If I Had Your Love” – 16th in the Semi-Final – 52 points
- 2006 – Silvía Night – “Congratulations” – 13th in the Semi-Final – 62 points
- 2007 – Eiríkur Hauksson – “Valentine Lost” – 13th in the Semi-Final – 77 points
- 2008 – Euroband – “This Is My Life” – 14th – 64 points
- 2009 – Yohanna – “Is It True?” – 2nd – 218 points
- 2010 – Hera Björk – “Je ne sais quoi” – 19th – 41 points
- 2011 – Sjonni’s Friends – “Coming Home” – 20th – 61 points
- 2012 – Greta Salóme and Jónsi – “Never Forget” – 20th – 46 points
- 2013 – Eythor Ingi – “Ég á líf” – 17th – 47 points
- 2014 – Pollapönk – “No Prejudice” – 15th – 58 points
- 2015 – Maria Olafs – “Unbroken” – 15th in the Semi-Final – 14 points
- 2016 – Greta Salóme – “Hear Them Calling” – 14th in the Semi-Final – 51 points
- 2017 – Svala – “Paper” – 15th in the Semi-Final – 60 points
- 2018 – Ari Ólafsson – “Our Choice” – 19th in the Semi-Final – 15 points
- 2019 – Hatari – “Hatrið mun sigra” – 10th – 232 points
- 2020 – Daði og Gagnamagnið – “Think About Things” – Contest cancelled due to XOVID-19
- 2021 – Daði og Gagnamagnið – “10 Years” – 4th – 378 points
- 2022 – Systur – “Með hækkandi sól” – 23rd – 20 points
- 2023 – Diljá – “Power” – 11th in the Semi-Final – 44 points
- 2024 – Hera Björk – “Scared of Heights” – 15th in the Semi-Final – 3 points
- 2025 – Væb – “Róa” – 25th – 33 points
Iceland did not participate in Eurovision in 1998 and 2002 due to not qualifying for the contest due to poor results in the previous contest. The Icelandic broadcaster will not participate in Eurovision 2026 in opposition to the continued participation of Israel in the competition.
Iceland and other Eurovision family events
Iceland has not participated in any other Eurovision contests outside of the Song Contest, however RÚV has broadcast many Eurovision formats.
Eurovision Dance Contest
RÚV broadcast the Eurovision Dance Contest 2007 and 2008 for viewers in Iceland. Viewers were not able to vote as Iceland did not compete in the contest.
Eurovision Young Dancers
The Icelandic broadcaster aired one edition of the competition. In 2003 RÚV aired the contest which was held in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Eurovision Young Musicians
RÚV has broadcast five editions of Eurovision Young Musicians. The Icelandic broadcaster aired the 1996, 2002, 2008, 2010 and 2012 contests for viewers.
Junior Eurovision Song Contest
Iceland has twice broadcast the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2003 and 2021. The Icelandic broadcaster has investigated participating in the competition, most recently sending a delegation to the 2021 contest in Paris, France. A delegation from the broadcaster went backstage to understand the logistics of the behind-the-scenes production of the show.
The following shows were also broadcast in Iceland:
- Songs of Europe – 1981
- Congratulations: 50 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest – 2005
- Eurovision Song Contest’s Greatest Hits – 2015
- Eurovision Europe Shine a Light – 2020
Iceland & Other European Broadcasting Union Competitions
Let the Peoples Sing
The contest was first held in 1961 by the BBC as an annual choral contest for choirs in the United Kingdom, since 1966 it has been a choral competition for choirs across Europe. Since the late 1970s, the European Broadcasting Union has organised the event with choirs allowed to compete from across the globe.
- 1987 – Aired the 1987 contest on Rás 1.
- 2015 – Aired the 2015 contest on delay on Rás 1.
- 2024 – Aired the 2024 contest on delay on Rás 1.
During the history of the Eurovision Song Contest and Eurovision family of events over fifty countries have competed, but there are more countries eligible or interested in participating. Find out more here.
Image Source: Eurovision.tv – Andres Putting