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The Eurovision 2027 national selection season is beginning to take shape, and Albania has revealed 28 artists competing in Festivali i Këngës 65, the long-running music competition that will determine the country’s entry for next year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
Albanian broadcaster RTSH announced the line-up on 9 October, with Eurovision confirming the details on 12 October.
Among the contestants are emerging performers, established Albanian musicians and a particularly familiar name for Eurovision fans: Kejsi Tola, who previously represented Albania at the 2009 contest in Moscow.
The road to Burgas 2027 has officially begun to look rather exciting.
Albania’s Eurovision 2027 Selection: What Do We Know?
Festivali i Këngës will celebrate its 65th edition in December 2026, continuing one of the longest-running traditions in Albanian music.
Since Albania made its Eurovision debut in 2004, the festival has played a central role in selecting the country’s representative for the international competition.
This year’s edition features 28 competing acts, with artists drawn from different musical backgrounds and generations.
While the full line-up has been confirmed, the individual song titles have not yet been released. Exact dates and broadcast times for the festival’s shows also remain to be announced.
For now, fans have the names, the anticipation and plenty of opportunities to begin speculating.
And if there’s one thing Eurovision fans know how to do, it’s speculate before hearing a single note.
Kejsi Tola Returns to Festivali i Këngës
The most recognisable name on this year’s list is Kejsi Tola, who represented Albania at Eurovision 2009 with Carry Me in Your Dreams.
Her performance in Moscow introduced her to an international audience and remains a familiar memory for longtime Eurovision followers.
Tola’s return brings an interesting element of nostalgia to the competition, particularly as she will be competing against a new generation of Albanian artists.
But she is far from the only returning performer.
Orgesa Zaimi, who has participated in several previous editions of Festivali i Këngës, is also back in contention.
Rock band Djemtë e Detit will bring decades of musical experience to the line-up, having been associated with the festival since the early 1990s.
Gjergj Jorgaqi, another returning artist, last competed in the competition in 2003.
Their presence makes this year’s edition a particularly interesting meeting point between established performers and newer musical voices.
Which Artists Are Competing in Festivali i Këngës 65?
RTSH has confirmed 28 acts for the competition, including Kejsi Tola, Orgesa Zaimi, Djemtë e Detit, Ardit Çuni, Sara Bajraktari, Vanesa Sono and Martina Serreqi.
The wider line-up features solo performers, collaborations and groups, suggesting that viewers could be treated to a variety of musical styles once the competing songs are made public.
However, without the songs, it is too early to identify genuine favourites or predict which entry might work best on the Eurovision stage.
Albania has a history of delivering passionate vocal performances and drawing inspiration from its musical traditions, but this year’s competition deserves to be judged on the material itself rather than expectations based on previous editions.
The full official list is available through Eurovision’s website.
Can Albania Build on Its Eurovision Success?
Albania has enjoyed several memorable Eurovision performances since joining the competition.
Its best result remains Rona Nishliu’s fifth-place finish in 2012 with Suus, a dramatic vocal performance that continues to be remembered by fans.
More recently, Shkodra Elektronike attracted international attention with Zjerm at Eurovision 2025, while Alis represented the country with Nân in Vienna in 2026.
Alis finished 13th in the 2026 Grand Final after qualifying through the second semi-final, maintaining Albania’s presence on the Eurovision stage.
The challenge for this year’s Festivali i Këngës contestants will be to deliver an entry capable of connecting with both national audiences and international viewers.
Of course, Eurovision success depends on far more than a strong voice. Staging, artistic identity, songwriting and the ability to create a memorable three-minute performance can all make the difference.
When Will Albania Choose Its Eurovision 2027 Entry?
Festivali i Këngës 65 is expected to take place in December 2026, with further details about the performance schedule and competing songs still to come.
One of the 28 acts will ultimately earn the opportunity to represent Albania at Eurovision 2027 in Burgas, Bulgaria.
Until the music is released, the competition remains wide open.
Kejsi Tola’s return will undoubtedly attract attention, while the mixture of experienced performers and emerging talent could produce some unexpected contenders.
The Eurovision 2027 season is warming up, Albania has made the first move, and darling, it’s never too early to start preparing your favourites list.
We’ll be watching closely as the songs are revealed.
