PORTUGAL · 6 MARCH 2027
Festival da Canção 2027: date, format, songs and how to apply
RTP has confirmed a major format change for Festival da Canção 2027: a single televised final on 6 March, with 16 songs selected through an open call rather than invited composers.
RTP's confirmed Festival da Canção 2027 format
Final: (Saturday).
Live shows: one final, no Semi-Finals.
Contest songs: 16, all selected from public submissions.
Applications: 1–30 November 2026 (published regulations).
Song selection: five-member industry panel.
Final voting: 50% regional juries and 50% audience.
Venue, start time, artists and songs: not yet announced.
Portugal's 2027 selection timeline
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Open song submissions All 16 finalists will be selected from open submissions, not invited writers. | |
| Submission deadline RTP's published rules set 30 November as the end of applications. | |
| Festival da Canção 2027 Final A single televised final with 16 competing original songs; venue and start time are not yet confirmed. |
A single televised final, without Semi-Finals
For the first time since 2012, RTP will stage Festival da Canção as one live competition on Saturday 6 March 2027. The 16 songs will compete in one programme. The exact venue and programme start time have not yet been confirmed.
How to submit a song
The open submission process starts on 1 November and closes on 30 November 2026 under RTP's announced regulations. All 16 festival songs will be chosen from entries submitted by the public; no songs will come from the old invited-composer route. The selection panel consists of five music and media professionals.
Who chooses the winner?
The winning song will be decided by an equal split: 50% regional jury voting and 50% audience voting, with telephone and online options. The winner is eligible to represent Portugal at Eurovision 2027 in Burgas; the broadcaster's final Eurovision entry is not yet known.
What remains unconfirmed
RTP has not yet named the 16 acts or songs, the broadcast start time, venue or the eventual Eurovision representative. Do not treat the Festival winner as a confirmed Eurovision entry before RTP confirms that outcome.
Festival da Canção 2027 — FAQ
When is Festival da Canção 2027?
Saturday 6 March 2027; exact start time and venue remain to be announced.
Will Festival da Canção 2027 have Semi-Finals?
No. The 2027 edition has one final with 16 competing songs.
When can artists and songwriters apply?
Submissions open on 1 November and close on 30 November 2026, according to RTP's published regulations.
How is the winner decided?
50% regional juries and 50% audience voting. The winner is eligible, but not automatically guaranteed by the festival wording, to represent Portugal at Eurovision.
Latest verified selection news
Festival da Canção 2027 opens submissions: all 16 songs to come from the public call
RTP opened entries on 1 November with a 30 November deadline. All 16 Festival da Canção 2027 songs will be selected from the public call.
Official and supporting sources
Portuguese-language regulations coverage ↗
Editorial note: RTP's primary notice confirms the final date, 16 entries and opening of applications. The published regulations provide the closing date and detailed voting mechanics; the final Eurovision representative is not yet confirmed.
