Finland has officially started its search for its next Eurovision entry, with Yle opening submissions for Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2027 (UMK27).
Artists and music creators can submit their songs between 17 and 23 August 2026, beginning the process that will ultimately determine who represents Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2027.
UMK has developed significantly over the past several years, establishing itself not only as Finland’s Eurovision selection but also as one of the country’s major annual music events. Songs introduced through the competition regularly reach Finland’s music charts, while several UMK acts have gone on to attract audiences well beyond the country’s borders.
The competition’s growing international profile has been particularly visible following entries such as Käärijä’s “Cha Cha Cha”, Windows95man’s “No Rules!”, Erika Vikman’s “Ich komme” and, most recently, Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen’s “Liekinheitin”.
Yle looking for distinctive new music
According to Tapio Hakanen, chair of UMK’s professional jury, the team hopes the variety and success of the previous season will encourage musicians to take creative risks when submitting material for 2027.
Hakanen highlighted the musical diversity seen during the previous edition and expressed hope that songs including Liekinheitin, Takatukka and Lululai will inspire creators to submit equally distinctive material this year.
The philosophy is also shared by UMK’s new executive producer, Mikko Silvennoinen, who was appointed to the role this summer after years of involvement with both UMK and Eurovision.
Silvennoinen says the team will be searching for songs capable of bringing out an artist’s individual identity. The combination of performer, song and staging should ultimately create something audiences feel could not have been delivered in quite the same way by anybody else.
UMK27 heads back to Tampere
The 16th edition of UMK will take place at Nokia Arena in Tampere on 20 February 2027.
The artists selected to compete are expected to be revealed in January, continuing UMK’s established annual schedule. The eventual winner will earn the right to represent Finland at Eurovision 2027.
Applications can be submitted through Yle’s official UMK website until 23 August at 23:59 Finnish time. Competition rules are available in Finnish, Swedish and English, and Yle says everyone who submits an application will receive a response by the end of October.
Finland’s recent UMK winners
UMK has produced a diverse collection of Finnish Eurovision representatives since the competition replaced the country’s previous national selection format in 2012.
- 2026: Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen – Liekinheitin
- 2025: Erika Vikman – Ich komme
- 2024: Windows95man – No Rules!
- 2023: Käärijä – Cha Cha Cha
- 2022: The Rasmus – Jezebel
- 2021: Blind Channel – Dark Side
- 2020: Aksel Kankaanranta – Looking Back
- 2019: Darude feat. Sebastian Rejman – Look Away
- 2018: Saara Aalto – Monsters
- 2017: Norma John – Blackbird
- 2016: Sandhja – Sing It Away
- 2015: Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät – Aina mun pitää
- 2014: Softengine – Something Better
- 2013: Krista Siegfrids – Marry Me
- 2012: Pernilla Karlsson – När jag blundar
With submissions now underway, Finland becomes one of the countries whose Eurovision 2027 selection season is officially in motion. The next major milestone will come in January, when Yle introduces the artists and songs competing for the UMK27 trophy and the Finnish ticket to Eurovision.
Source: Information provided to Euroverse by Yle / UMK press communications, 17 August 2026.