Portugal's Festival da Canção 2025: Meet the First Six Qualifiers for the Eurovision Final!

Portugal's Festival da Canção Returns

The long-awaited Festival da Canção is back in Portugal, bringing excitement for three weeks as the country prepares for the Eurovision 2025 contest. The first semi-final took place in RTP's studios in Lisbon, featuring ten entries and a unique voting system that combined public and jury decisions.

Semi-Final Results

The results of the first semi-final are as follows:

First Round of Voting

• Five finalists were determined through a 50% jury and 50% public voting.

Second Round of Voting

• The sixth finalist was chosen solely by the audience through a quick flash vote that lasted only a few minutes.

The semi-final was hosted by José Carlos Malato and Jorge Gabriel, with Alexandre Guimarães guiding the green room and interviewing the acts. The jury panel included notable figures such as Fábia Rebordão, Iolanda, and Tiago Nacarato. As an interval act, the band Folk Fogo performed, adding a vibrant touch to the evening.

Festival Overview

To select the song and artist representing Portugal in Basel (Switzerland) for the Eurovision 2025, RTP will host three shows this year:

• Semi-Final 1: February 22, 2025 (Hosts: Jorge Gabriel, José Carlos Malato)
• Semi-Final 2: March 1, 2025 (Hosts: Tânia Ribas de Oliveira, Sónia Araújo)
• Final: March 8, 2025 (Hosts: Filomena Cautela, Vasco Palmeirim)

Each semi-final will qualify six songs, leading to a total of 12 finalists.

Portugal's Eurovision Journey

Since its debut in 1964, Portugal has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 55 times, facing challenges along the way, including a zero-point start. It wasn't until 2017 that Portugal won with Salvador Sobral's "Amar Pelos Dois". Since the introduction of semi-finals in 2004, Portugal has qualified for the Grand Final 9 out of 18 times.