Finland's national selection for Eurovision song contest 2026 or UMK (Uuden musiikin kilpailu) takes place in Tampere tonight in Tampere arena to sold out crowds. Special guests are last year's UMK winner Erika Vikman (11th in ESC) with last year's Eurovision winner Austrian JJ, Finland's Eurovision 1985 represent Sonja Lumme and quartet of leading Finnish rappers Elastinen, Ares, Turisti and Averagekidluke. It's worth remembering JJ's staging and even outfit was made in Finland last year with UMK team. The show is hosted by Jorma Uotinen, Sami Sykkö and Jasmin Beloued. Read more about them here.
Out of 491 submitted entries a panel of nine members along with five audience groups selected the seven entries for the final. Linda Lampenius & Pete Parkkonen emerged instantly the runaway favorites to win the selection gaining more Youtube views in 24 hrs than any other UMK entry ever and also reached one million streams in record time. They also became international favorites pushing Finland to #1 in odds ahead of Israel. Etta became the second successful in streaming platforms while Antti Paalanen is considered the main contender to stop Linda & Pete from winning..... with Kiki having the solid fanbase, too, while Etta has been second best in chart and streaming success.
The music videos have been watched by Linda & Pete (2,4 million), Antti Paalanen (1,1 million), Etta (694.000), Komiat (721.000), Chachi (631.000), Kiki (485.000), Sinikka Monte (325.000) by this morning.
In Spotify Linda & Pete have 3.684.500 streams, Etta 3.045738, Antti 1.853 224, Komat 1.672 559, Kiki 1.208 721, Chachi 925.832, Sinikka 652.160 by this morning.
The odds give Linda & Pete a 76% chance to win, followed by Antti (16%), Kiki (3%), Etta (2%), Komiat (2%), Chachi (1%) and Sinikka (1%). Quite clear isn't it? (But the ghost of Windows95man beating Sara Siipola looms over UMK....). Read more about the artists by clicking the links below,



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