Portugal is about to pick its representative for Eurovision in Basel, and we’ll know when they win Festival da Canção 2025.
The national selection in Portugal takes place in the latter part of the schedule, just a week or so before all 37 contenders in this year’s contest are known. Portugal has not won Eurovision since 2017, but do any of the contenders here have a chance to bring the trophy back?
So, When Is Festival da Canção 2025?
The contest will take place over the course of three Saturday, beginning 22 February, the date of the first semifinal. The second semifinal will occur on 1 March, and the final is scheduled for 8 March.
Six songs will qualify per semifinal.
A full calendar of Eurovision national finals can be found here.
What Happened in Portugal Last Year?
Festival da Canção 2024 was won by Iolanda and her song “Grito.” She went on to a top-ten finish in Sweden at Eurovision.
Portugal has qualified for the Eurovision grand final four years in a row entering the 2025 contest.
Festival da Canção 2025 Entries
First Semifinal (22 February)
| Song | Performer(s) |
|---|---|
| “A Minha Casa” | Marco Rodrigues |
| “Adamastor” | Peculiar |
| “Ai Senhor” | Xico Gaiato |
| “Calafrio” | Jéssica Pina |
| “Eu sei que o amor” | Margarida Campelo |
| “Lisboa” | Capital da Bulgária |
| “Ninguém” | Bluay |
| “Sobre Nós” | Du Nothin |
| “Tristeza” | Josh |
| “Voltas” | Rita Sampaio |
Second Semifinal (1 March)
| Song | Performer(s) |
|---|---|
| “Apago tudo” | Bombazine |
| “á-tê-xis” | Tota |
| “Cotovia” | Diana Vilarinho |
| “Deslocado” | Napa |
| “I Wanna Destroy U” | Henka |
| “Medo” | Fernando Daniel |
| “Quantos Queres” | Inês Marques Lucas |
| “Quem foi” | Luca Argel ft. Pri Azevedo |
| “Rapsódia da Paz” | Emmy Curl |
| “Responso à Mulher” | A Cantadeira |
Festival da Canção 2025 Song Rankings: Top 10
Remember: Best of luck to all the 20 contenders. There has been some shall we say stern commentary about a number of these songs out in the internet, and even if we didn’t like a particular song, we’re not going in that direction.
10. “Eu sei que o amor” (Margarida Campelo)
Speaking of, I’ve read the comments on this one. I know most people don’t like it, and I agree that it’s not a song that would succeed at Eurovision. However, let’s not act like this is nails on a chalkboard (and if you think it is, I genuinely cannot help you). This is a comfortable piece of music, very much easy listening, and this gives sitting-by-a-fireplace-in-a-lounge vibes.
9. “Cotovia” (Diana Vilarinho)
I wish this song were a little less dull, because her singing (like most other acts at FdC) is pretty decent. I wanted to put this song higher than I did.
8. “Medo” (Fernando Daniel)
The majority of songs at FdC are what I would consider to be dull ballads. This is a ballad, but more interesting than the average one here.
7. “Ai Senhor” (Xico Gaiato)
This is an interesting song. I don’t love everything about it, and the vocals are honestly not for me, but it’s quite different from everything else here.
6. “Quem foi” (Luca Argel ft. Pri Azevedo)
I know, you don’t like this one either, and I do not think Portugal should send it to Eurovision. With that said, this might be the best composition in the whole contest, or at a minimum, in the top three. It’s very sleepy and I think they were going for the Salvador Sobral special, but the song’s meanings cut very deep.
5. “Sobre Nós” (Du Nothin)
This was not bad. His sound was different than most others in this contest and I think the song had a decent beat. It did not seem like his diction was on-point for every word, but that might just also be related to not being a native Portuguese speaker.
4. “Apago tudo” (Bombazine)
I’m getting a bit of a Daft Punk swanky vibe from this song. There is not much about it that’s boring, but it is on the easier listening side (like the vast majority of entries in this contest).
3. “Calafrio” (Jéssica Pina)
This song is almost certain not to get the recognition it deserves at FdC. The composition is very smart and classy, like the sort of thing you would hear in the background at an expensive steakhouse. She sang well also.
2. “I Wanna Destroy U” (Henka)
This was an absolute jaw-dropper. Songs like this just do not go through Portugal’s national selection, but they have a chance to do something very different for the first time. Vocals tend to suffer when you’re doing hard rock, but you’re crazy if you don’t think this stands out in a good way, let alone standing out at all.
1. “Responso à Mulher” (A Cantadeira)
Definitely one of the standout songs of this contest. It is sung well, and the musical interlude is going to get people dancing in their chairs. This is also among the stronger compositions in FdC this year.
