Estonia opens submissions for Eesti Laul 2027

Estonia has opened song submissions for Eesti Laul 2027, the national competition selecting its Eurovision Song Contest entry. The event will take place on January 30, 2027, with applications open from September 4 to October 8, 2026.

Estonia’s national Eurovision selection, Eesti Laul, has officially launched its 2027 campaign, setting the stage for the country’s bid to represent Europe on the global stage. The competition, organized by the Estonian Public Broadcasting (ERR), will culminate in a final at Tallinn’s Unibet Arena on January 30, 2027. Artists and songwriters have until October 8, 2026, to submit entries, with the window opening on September 4, 2026.

Eesti Laul 2027: Dates and Submission Window

The submission period for Eesti Laul 2027 begins on September 4, 2026, and closes on October 8, 2026. This follows a tradition of multi-stage competitions, though recent years have seen adjustments to formats, including the addition and removal of quarter-finals and wildcard rounds.

The 2027 event marks the 33rd anniversary of Estonia’s participation in Eurovision, a journey that began in 1994. The country’s first and only win came in 2001 with Tanel Padar, Dave Benton, and 2XL’s “Everybody,” a milestone that made Dave Benton the first Black winner of the contest. Recent performances include Vanilla Ninja’s 2026 entry, Too Epic to Be True, which failed to qualify for the final, finishing 11th in the first semi-final with 79 points.

Estonia’s Eurovision History

Estonia’s Eurovision legacy includes multiple top-10 finishes, with Sahlene’s 2002 entry “Runaway” and Ines’ 2000 performance Once in a Lifetime both securing fourth place. More recently, Urban Symphony’s “Rändajad” (2009) and Ott Lepland’s “Kuula” (2012) placed sixth. The 2026 contest saw Vanilla Ninja’s return as the country’s representative, though their performance fell short of the final. Despite this, the competition continues to serve as a platform for emerging talent, with Karmel Killandi, Editor-in-Chief of ERR’s Entertainment Programmes, emphasizing Estonia’s cultural versatility: Estonia has shown the world that we can sing and dance, rap and rock.

A Vision for the Future

Karmel Killandi’s statement underscores the competition’s role in showcasing Estonia’s creative diversity. With the submission window now open, artists have until October 8 to submit their entries, following a process that includes detailed rules and guidelines to be released alongside the application portal. The winner will not only represent Estonia but also contribute to the broader Eurovision narrative, a tradition that has seen the country consistently push boundaries since its debut.

Vanilla Ninja, who represented Estonia at Eurovision 2026 — Photo: That Eurovision Site

For Estonia, the event represents both a challenge and an opportunity to reaffirm its presence on the international stage. As the countdown begins, the nation’s songwriters and performers face the task of crafting a entry that can captivate audiences and secure a place in the final.

Estonia opens submissions for Eesti Laul 2027 — Photo: Eurovision

“Estonia has shown the world that we can sing and dance, rap and rock. How we will surprise the world this time is in the hands of our outstanding songwriters and performers.”
Karmel Killandi, Editor-in-Chief of ERR’s Entertainment Programmes

The submission process for Eesti Laul 2027 is now live, with details available on the official Eesti Laul website or via email to [email protected]. Artists are encouraged to review the rules and prepare their entries for the January 30 final, where the winner will join the ranks of Eurovision’s most iconic performers.