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A fan favourite earns the final spot in Ukraine’s national selection

Ukraine’s national selection for Eurovision 2026 is now officially complete. Broadcaster Suspilne has confirmed that KHAYAT has won the Vidbir 2026 wildcard vote, securing the tenth and final place in the competition with his song “Hertsi”.

The wildcard round gave viewers one last chance to shape the Vidbir line-up, and the response was impressive. Over 280,000 people took part in the online vote, with KHAYAT emerging as the clear winner after receiving more than 32% of the total votes — a strong result that underlines his popularity with Ukrainian audiences.

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A Strong Public Response

KHAYAT’s victory in the wildcard round wasn’t just narrow — it was decisive. His song connected quickly with voters, leaving the rest of the competition well behind. The result highlights once again how seriously Ukrainian fans engage with Vidbir, treating the selection process as an event in its own right rather than just a prelude to Eurovision.

With this win, KHAYAT now joins nine other acts who had already secured their place in the final, completing a diverse and competitive line-up.

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Listen to the Vidbir 2026 snippets of the songs!

For those who want a first taste of what’s coming, a recap video featuring short snippets of all ten competing songs is already available online. It’s the easiest way to get familiar with the Vidbir 2026 line-up, compare styles, and spot early favourites before the final.

Recap video courtesy of ESC Giorgio:

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What Happens Next for Vidbir 2026?

Now that all ten finalists are confirmed, attention turns to the next key dates. The full versions of all competing songs will be officially presented on 15 January, during a live showcase event where the running order for the final will also be drawn.

The Vidbir 2026 final itself is scheduled for 7 February, when the Ukrainian representative for Eurovision in Vienna will be chosen. As in previous years, the result will be decided through a combination of jury votes and public televoting, a format that has helped Ukraine maintain its strong Eurovision track record.

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A Line-Up Packed with Experience

This year’s Vidbir features a mix of familiar names and fresh faces. Among the finalists are artists with previous Eurovision experience, including Jerry Heil, who represented Ukraine in 2024 alongside alyona alyona, finishing third in the Grand Final, and Monokate, known to Eurovision fans as the former lead singer of Go_A.

Such a blend of experience and new talent once again positions Vidbir as one of the most exciting national selections in the Eurovision season.

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Ukraine’s Eurovision Legacy

Ukraine remains one of Eurovision’s most consistent performers. Since debuting in 2003, the country has won the contest three times and has never failed to qualify from a semi-final, a record matched by only one other country. Each new Vidbir season therefore comes with high expectations, and 2026 is no exception.

Last year, Ukraine was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 by the band Ziferblat, who earned their spot by winning the national selection with the song “Bird of Pray.” The trio went on to perform in the Grand Final in Basel, Switzerland, where they finished in 9th place, scoring a total of 218 points from both juries and the public.