Eurovision Song Contest
THE BASICS
Eurovision is regarded as the world’s largest song contest in terms of international media reach, TV coverage and public profile. To submit a song to the Eurovision Song Contest, you need to have it selected by a participating broadcaster from the country you wish to represent. Each country organizes its selection process differently, some through public national finals and others through internal selection. Contacting your national broadcaster is the first step, as they determine the song and artist for their country.
HOW TO SUBMIT SONGS
At this time SubmitMySong is unnable to provide direct submission to Eurovision because of the way the Eurovision entry process is structured. It differs widely for each participating country and often changes each year. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what you need to do to submit a song to The Eurovision Song Contest.
1. Identify your country’s broadcaster: Each participating country has a public service broadcaster that is a member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
2. Check their submission process: Visit the broadcaster’s website or contact them directly to find out how they choose their entry. Some broadcasters may have open calls for submissions, while others select internally.
3. Meet the requirements: Ensure your song and artist meet the specific requirements of the broadcaster and the Eurovision Song Contest itself. These typically include criteria like originality, length (3 minutes maximum), live vocals, and age of performers.
4. Submit your song: If your country has an open submission process, follow the broadcaster’s instructions for submitting your song, which may involve online forms, sending in recordings, and providing information about the song and artist.
5. Participate in the selection process: If your song is chosen for a national selection, you will need to participate in the process, which may involve performing live in front of a jury or audience.
6. Win the national selection (if applicable): If your song is selected for a national final, you will need to win the final to represent your country at Eurovision.
7. Prepare for Eurovision: If your song is chosen to represent your country, you will need to prepare for the Eurovision Song Contest, which typically takes place in May.
In summary, submitting a song to Eurovision is complicated and it involves a national selection process organized by your country’s broadcaster. Contact them to learn about their specific requirements and procedures for submitting your song
The Eurovision Song Contest has provided these rules and guidelines.
SELECTION OF THE SONGS
Each song which competes in the ESC shall be selected through a national selection to be organized by each Participating Broadcaster. The national selection is organized under the sole responsibility of the Participating Broadcaster in question.
SONGS REQUIREMENTS
(i) RELEASE DATE
The songs (lyrics and music compositions) submitted to represent the country of each Participating Broadcaster’s country in the ESC must be original and must not have been released and/or publicly performed in part or in full before 1 September 2024 (the “Release Date”).
In case the song submitted has been made available to the public, for example, but not limited to, on online video platforms, social networks or (semi-) publicly accessible databanks and/or performed publicly, for example but not limited to during concerts, prior to the Release Date the Participating Broadcaster must inform the ESC Executive Supervisor, who shall have authority to evaluate whether the song remains eligible for participation in the Contest.
In particular, the ESC Executive Supervisor shall assess whether such disclosure prior to the Release Date is likely to give to the song an advantage in the Contest vis-à-vis the other participating songs.
The ESC Executive Supervisor shall have authority to authorise or deny participation of a song which may have been available to the public as described above. The ESC Executive Supervisor shall consult the Reference Group in case of doubt.
(ii) DURATION
The maximum duration of each song to be performed as part of the Act is three minutes. Any song/performance which is longer shall not be eligible to participate and each Participating Broadcaster shall ensure that the song complies with this duration.
Any submission of a Backing Track which is longer than three minutes will be rejected by the EBU and the Participating Broadcaster will be requested to re-submit a Backing Track which complies with the required duration.
(iii) LANGUAGE
Each Participating Broadcaster is free to decide the language in which its Contestant(s) will sing.
PERFORMANCES AT THE ESC
(i) PERFORMANCES IN THE SHOWS
The stage performance shall be identical in all second (Jury) Dress Rehearsals and during the Live Shows.
(ii) LIVE PERFORMANCES ON STAGE (AND BACKING TRACKS)
All songs shall be performed live on the stage in the Host City at the selected Venue with recorded Backing Tracks.
No on-stage Contestant (whether Lead Singer(s), or dancers) shall be allowed to lip-sync in such a way as to give the impression that they are singing when they actually are not.
No pitch-correction (e.g. Auto-tuning) for live vocals shall be allowed in any case for the live Act performances on stage.
Plugging instruments to play live on stage shall not be allowed. The Host Broadcaster and the ESC Executive Supervisor shall verify respect for this rule.
CONTESTANTS (ELIGIBILTY CRITERIA)
(i) MAXIMUM NUMBER OF CONTESTANTS
Each performance may consist of a maximum of six artists on stage. No live animals shall be allowed on stage.
(ii) AGE OF CONTESTANTS
All Contestants and artists competing in a Semi-Final must be aged at least 16 on the day of the Final. All Contestants and artists competing only in the Final must be aged at least 16 on the day of the Final.
(iii) COUNTRY REPRESENTATION
No Contestant and/or artist may compete for more than one country in the ESC in a given year.
Music Aid Events
Music Aid International is a music industry organization that supports charities and causes including UNICEF. It holds contests and awards events for songwriters and artists each year. Some of the biggest names in music support the Music Aid Organization and you can join them, get involved and check out current events, opportunities at the official Music Aid website musicaid.org – use the link button below. Music Aid uses SubmitMySong.com for all submissions into the Music Aid Awards events.
UK Songwriting Contest
The highly respected and popular international songwriting event with Star Ratings, top judges and valuable prizes (over $600,000 Prize Fund). Songwriters from over 80 countries take part in this event. The UKSC was founded and launched over 20 years ago with The BRIT Trust (the Trust body of The BRIT Awards) and it is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious songwriting events. Full details are on the official UKSC Website.
TIP: ALL UKSC entries in 2025 receive automatic FREE entry in The Commonwealth Song Contest saving many $$$s in entry fees.
The ISAs – International Songwriting Awards
The ISAs International Songwriting Awards is a music industry event that is open to beginner songwriters. It works with the world´s biggest music events and partners and you can enter directly or through specialist music organizations and contest events such as the UK Songwriting Contest. The ISAs provides a unique opportunity for all songwriters, beginner and major established writers, to be nominated for an award from their music community peers in a prestigious international awards event. There are more details on the official ISA Website.
TIP: This event is not currently active in 2025, Return soon for details about opportunities in 2026 from the ISA organizers and partners organizations.
Commonwealth Song Contest
Submissions are now open. Songs from the 56 Commonwealth countries compete for the finalist places and international public votes decide the winning country and winning songwriters. The UK Songwriting Contest and British Songwriting Awards partner with the CSC as the London host and act as an official submissions entry point for all countries worldwide. Song entries may also be made directly to the CSC event or via industry contacts.
FREE ENTRY OFFER: Enter your song to The Commonwealth Song Contest via the UK entry system in association with the UKSC for a free entry into the CSC. This offer may expire soon so take advantage now.
Song Copyright Registration
SongCopyright.org is the world’s leading independent music copyright registration service. It is the first choice of professional publishers, music organizations and thousands of songwriters, composers and lyricists. Complete beginners and also professional award winning songwriters use the service and it was formed by an association of music industry bodies and experts to provide easy and instant lifetime copyright protection and peace of mind for songwriters. Registration at SongCopyright.org publishes to the world the fact that you have registered international copyright to your song and it provides online verification of this claim. In addition an official Copyright Certificate is issued for each song registered and an official sworn Declaration of Registration will be provided to lawers and courts anywhere in the world in the event of dispute. There is no quicker, easier and safer way to register and protect your international copyright. Read more about SongCopyright.org and the international Song Copyright Organization (SCO) at their official website.
