While Poland may be awaiting their first Eurovision Song Contest victory, Poland is one of the most successful countries in the wider Eurovision family of events.
Poland in Eurovision
Poland debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994 alongside a number of other Eastern European countries. Their debut year saw their best result to date, as Edyta Gorniak finished in 2nd place with her song “To nie ja!”. Following this, Poland failed to repeat this initial success, managing a top 10 placing on only one other occasion during their initial 1994-2011 run in the contest. In 2012, following a string of non-qualifications, Poland withdrew from the contest due to financial difficulties. Since their return in 2014, they have been considerably more successful in the contest, having qualified for the final for every year up to 2017.
- 1994 – Edyta Górniak – “To nie ja!” – 2nd – 166 points
- 1995 – Justyna – “Sama” – 18th – 15 points
- 1996 – Kasia Kowalska – “Chcę znać swój grzech” – 15th – 31 points
- 1997 – Anna Maria Jopej – “Ale jestem” – 11th – 54 points
- 1998 – Sixteen – “To takie proste” – 17th – 19 points
- 1999 – Mietek Szcześniak – “Przytul mnie mocno” – 18th – 17 points
- 2001 – Piasek – “2 Long” – 20th – 11 points
- 2003 – Ich Troje – “Keine Grenzen – Żadnych granic” – 7th – 90 points
- 2004 – Blue Café – “Love Song” – 17th – 27 points
- 2005 – Ivan & Delfin – “Czarna dziewczyna” – 11th in the Semi-Final – 81 points
- 2006 – Ich Troje – “Follow My Heart” – 11th in the Semi-Final – 70 points
- 2007 – The Jet Step – “Time to Party” – 14th in the Semi-Final – 75 points
- 2008 – Isis Gee – “For Life” – 24th – 14 points
- 2009 – Lidia Kopania – “I Don’t Wanna Leave” – 12th in the Semi-Final – 43 points
- 2010 – Marcin Mroziński – “Legenda” – 13th in the Semi-Final – 44 points
- 2011 – Magdalena Tul – “Jestem” – 19th in the Semi-Final – 18 points
- 2014 – Donatan and Cleo – “My Słowianie – We Are Slavic” – 14th – 62 points
- 2015 – Monika Kuszyńska – “In The Name of Love” – 23rd – 10 points
- 2016 – Michał Szpak – “Color of Your Life” – 8th – 229 points
- 2017 – Kasia Moś – “Flashlight” – 22nd – 64 points
- 2018 – Gromee feat. Lukas Meijer – “Light Me Up” – 14th in the Semi-Final – 81 points
- 2019 – Tulia – “Fire of Love (Pali się)” – 11th in the Semi-Final – 120 points
- 2020 – Alicja – “Empires” – Contest cancelled due to COVID-19
- 2021 – Rafał – “The Ride” – 14th in the Semi-Final – 35 points
- 2022 – Ochman – “River” – 12th – 151 points
- 2023 – Blanka – “Solo” – 19th – 93 points
- 2024 – Luna – “The Tower” – 12th in the Semi-Final – 35 points
- 2025 – Justyna Steczkowska – “Gaja” – 14th – 156 points
- 2026 – Alicja – “Pray” – 12th – 150 points
The Polish broadcaster aired the Eurovision Song Contest intermittently from 1965 to 1993 before debuting in the contest. Poland did not qualify to compete in 2000 and 2002 due to poor results the previous year. Between 2012 and 2013, TVP did not air the contest due to non-participation.
Poland and other Eurovision family events
Poland has seen success in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest and the cultural contests. The Polish broadcaster TVP has hosted multiple Eurovision family events.
Eurovision Dance Contest
Poland was one of the founding countries of the Eurovision Song Contest competing in the 2007 contest in London, United Kingdom. Poland saw success in the contest:
- 2007 – Katarzyna Cichopek and Marcin Hakiel – 4th – 84 points
- 2008 – Edyta Herbuś and Marcin Mroczek – 1st – 154 points
The Polish broadcaster TVP bid to host the Eurovision Dance Contest in 2009, however ultimately the Azerbaijani broadcaster was chosen. Learn more about the cancelled contest below:
Eurovision Young Dancers
Poland debuted in Eurovision Young Dancers in 1993 and has hosted the contest three times in 1997 in Gydnia, in 2005 in Warsaw, and 2013 in Gdańsk. The country also took victory in three editions of the contest, including a back-to-back victory.
- 1993 – Anna Sasiadek and Jacek Bres
- 1995 – Filip Barankiewicz
- 1997 (Host) – Magdalena Dzięgielewska and Bartosz Anczykowski
- 1999 – Marta Wojtaszewska and Marcin Krajewski
- 2001 – David and Marcin Kupinski – 1st
- 2003 – Jakub Greda – Did not qualify for the final
- 2005 (Host) – Elena Karpuhina and Michał Wylot – 2nd
- 2011 – Adam Myslinksi
- 2013 (Host) – Kristof Szabo
- 2015 – Viktoria Nowak – 1st
- 2017 – Paulina Bidzińska – 1st
- 2019 – Intended to compete but contest cancelled
Eurovision Young Musicians
Poland made their Eurovision debut in Eurovision Young Musicians in 1992, taking victory on their first appearance. Poland has won the contest four times and hosted the 1994 contest in Warsaw.
- 1992 – Bartłomiej Nizioł (Violin)- 1st
- 1994 (Host) – Lukasz Szyrner (Cello) – Did not qualify for the final
- 1996 – Maria Nowak (Violin)
- 1998 – Participant unknown – Did not qualify for the final
- 2000 – Stanisław Drzewiecki (Piano) – 1st
- 2002 – Piotr Jasiurkowski (Violin)
- 2004 – Agnieszka Grzybowska (Percussion)
- 2006 – Jacek Kortus (Piano) – Did not qualify for the final
- 2009 – Marta Kowalczyk (Violin) – Did not qualify for the final
- 2010 – Bartosz Głowacki (Accordion)
- 2012 – Jagoda Krzemińska (Flute)
- 2014 – Bartosz Kołsut (Accordion)
- 2016 – Łukasz Dyczko (Saxophone) – 1st
- 2018 – Marta Chlebicka (Flute) – Did not qualify for the final
- 2022 – Milena Pioruńska (Violin)
- 2024 – Jeremi Tabęcki (Clarinet)
- 2026 – Michał Stochel (Accordion) – 1st
Junior Eurovision Song Contest
Poland participated in the first Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2003. After two consecutive last-place finishes, they withdrew from the contest and did not return until 2016. From there on, Poland’s fortunes in the contest reversed resulting in Roksana Węgiel winning in 2018 with “Anyone I Want to Be”. In 2019, the contest was hosted in the Polish city of Gliwice. Viki Gabor won on home ground with “Superhero”, giving Poland a second consecutive victory.
- 2003 – Kasia Żurawik – “Coś mnie nosi” – 16th – 3 points
- 2004 – Kwadro – “Łap życie” – 17th – 3 points
- 2016 – Olivia Weiczorek – “Nie zpomnij” – 11th – 60 points
- 2017 – Alicja Rega – “Mój dom” – 8th – 138 points
- 2018 – Roksana Węgiel – “Anyone I Want to Be” – 1st – 215 points
- 2019 (Host) – Viki Gabor – “Superhero” – 1st – 278 points
- 2020 (Host) – Ala Tracz – “I’ll Be Standing” – 9th – 90 points
- 2021 – Sara James – “Somebody” – 2nd – 218 points
- 2022 – Laura – “To the Moon” – 10th – 95 points
- 2023 – Maja Krzyżewska – “I Just Need a Friend” – 6th – 124 points
- 2024 – Dominik Arim – “All Together” – 12th – 61 points
- 2025 – Marianna Kłos – “Brightest Light” – 8th – 139 points
Other Programs
The following shows were also broadcast in Poland:
- Congratulations: 50 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest – 2005
- Eurovision Europe Shine a Light – 2020
Poland & 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.
Poland’s history in the contest:
- 1995 – Participant unknown
- 1999 – Alla Polacca, Chór przy Teatrze Wielkim – Operze Narodowej – Youth Choir Finalist
- 2001 – Szczygielki – Children’s Category Finalist
- 2003 – Pro Forma Vocal Ensemble – Youth Category Finalist
- 2003 – Laudate Dominum – Children’s Category Finalist
- 2009 – Mickiewicz University Chamber Choir – Youth Category Finalist
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: Andres Putting