RTP has officially opened the 2026 season of Festival da Canção. The competing songwriters gathered today at the broadcaster’s studios to mark the start of this year’s edition of Portugal’s most celebrated music contest.
The list of participating composers brings together established artists and new voices in Portuguese music. RTP’s invited authors are André Amaro, Bandidos do Cante, Bateu Matou, Cristina Branco, Djodje, EVAYA, Inês Sousa, and Marquise. Joining them are the composers selected through the open submission process: AGRIDOCE, Francisco Fontes, Gonçalo Gomes, Jacaréu, Rita Dias, and Sandrino.
Dinis Mota joins the lineup as the public’s choice through the “Prova de Acesso”, and the 2025 winners, NAPA, who represented Portugal with 'Deslocado' in Basel, have invited the band Nunca Mates o Mandarim to take part as guest composers this year.
The semifinals will take place on February 21 and 28, and the Grand Final is scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2026. All shows will be broadcast live on RTP 1, RTP Internacional, and RTP Play.
RTP has also confirmed the return of the Festival da Canção podcast on Antena 1, promising behind-the-scenes insights and updates throughout the season.
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