Hold on tight, Eurovision fans! The race to represent Norway in 2026 is heating up, and the latest results from Melodi Grand Prix (MGP) are in! Sander Silva & Victorjus have just clinched victory in the third MGP 2026 radio duel, meaning they're one step closer to the grand final.
Their song, the aptly named “Fritt fall” (Free fall), resonated with voters, earning them a spot in the semifinals scheduled for January 24th. They successfully outvoted their opponent, Aranja, in a nail-biting contest. But here's where it gets interesting: this is just one piece of the puzzle in Norway's selection process.
According to Norwegian broadcaster NRK, the road to selecting Norway's Eurovision contender involves a unique blend of pre-selected finalists and radio duels. Eight finalists were previously chosen (you can catch up on those selections here: https://eurovoix.com/2026/01/19/norway-melodi-grand-prix-2026-participants-revealed/). The ninth and final spot is being fiercely contested through a series of radio battles on the show 'Nitimen'. Eight artists are battling it out for this last chance to shine, with the audience holding the power to decide who makes the cut. This final wildcard will be decided on January 26th. Mark your calendars, because that's also when all the finalists' songs will be officially released!
The radio duel format is pretty straightforward, but incredibly suspenseful. Each day, two artists go head-to-head, showcasing their musical talents. The public then gets to vote for their favorite, with the voting window open for a full 24 hours, from 10:00 AM CET to 10:00 AM CET the following day. If you want to participate, you can cast your vote on delta.nrk.no (http://delta.nrk.no/). The winners from Tuesday through Friday then face off again on Saturday and Sunday, culminating in a final showdown between the last two remaining artists on Monday morning.
Currently, two artists are still vying for a spot in the wildcard round, hoping to prove their worth: Raylee with “Where did you friend go” and Thomas Jenssen with “Smalltown.” Both of these acts performed on January 23rd, and the public's response will determine their fate.
So, who are Sander Silva & Victorjus up against? The current wildcard acts already qualified for the semifinals on January 24th include:
- Skrillex – “Into The Wild” (https://eurovoix.com/2026/01/21/norway-skrellex-wins-first-melodi-grand-prix-2026-radio-duel/)
- GOTHMINISTER – “The Spell”
- Sander Silva & Victorjus – “Fritt fall” (Free fall)
And this is the part most people miss: These wildcard acts will be competing against a stellar lineup of pre-selected finalists. The confirmed Melodi Grand Prix 2026 lineup already boasts some impressive names:
- Storm – “Lullaby”
- Alexander Rybak – “Rise”
- Emma – “Northern Lights”
- Hedda Mae – “Snap Back”
- Jonas Lovv – “Ya Ya Ya”
- Leonardo Amor – “Prayer”
- Mileo – “Frankenstein”
- Silke – “Forevermore”
Speaking of impressive names, let's not forget Alexander Rybak! He's back in the mix, hoping to recapture the Eurovision magic. Rybak, of course, famously won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2009 with his unforgettable song “Fairytale.” He later represented Norway again in 2018 with “That’s how you write a song.” Is this an unfair advantage? This is a question that has sparked debate among Eurovision fans. Does previous Eurovision experience guarantee success, or does it put extra pressure on the artist?
The grand finale of Melodi Grand Prix 2026 is set to take place on February 28th in the Håkons Hall in Lillehammer. This venue has Eurovision pedigree, having hosted the Junior Eurovision Song Contest back in 2004. The show will be hosted by Ronny Brede Aase, Marte Stokstad and Markus Neby (https://eurovoix.com/2026/01/09/norway-ronny-brede-aase-marte-stoks-markus-neby-present-melodi-grand-prix-2026/), promising an evening of entertainment and excitement.
Last year, Kyle Alessandro represented Norway at Eurovision 2025 with “Lighter.” He finished 18th in the final, accumulating a total of 89 points. He achieved 23rd place with the jury vote (22 points) and a more respectable 12th place with the public vote (67 points). Can Norway improve on this result in 2026?
Source information for this article was obtained from NRK (https://www.nrk.no/kultur/xl/no-kan-du-stemme-pa-din-favoritt-til-den-siste-finaleplassen-i-mgp-1.17733900?fbclid=IwY2xjawPgNOxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFOSkpiUUZJMWZEWm52ZnV3c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHq0l9XJUkw4FxOTZF4ROsyL2VGFHjsV4NbfT4e4nqeEHwMmRsAg3bxoS3Ndaem_vjnJPoQNhHFWD0vCfQwRCQ). Image source: Julia Marie Naglestad / NRK
As a reminder, Norway first entered the Eurovision Song Contest in 1960. They've tasted victory three times, in 1985, 1995, and 2009. However, they also hold the unenviable record of finishing last the most times (twelve!), and have suffered the dreaded 'nul points' on four occasions. Norway's last triumph was in 2009, when Alexander Rybak's “Fairytale” smashed records, scoring 387 points and receiving 16 sets of the coveted 12 points. Every single country awarded them points that year!
So, what do you think? Does “Fritt fall” have what it takes to go all the way? And what are your thoughts on Alexander Rybak’s return? Let us know in the comments below! Are you excited about the lineup so far, or do you think someone is missing? We want to hear your predictions for Melodi Grand Prix 2026!
