In the first semi-final of Melodifestivalen 2026 in Linköping, Greczula and A-Teens advanced directly to the final, while Jacqline progressed to the final qualifier. A technical glitch prevented Greczula's planned flight on stage, but it did not affect his victory. The evening featured an A-Teens reunion after 20 years and a acclaimed cover by Maja Ivarsson.
The first semi-final of Melodifestivalen 2026 took place in Linköping on January 31. Greczula opened the evening with 'Half of me' and received the most votes, advancing directly to the final. Despite a malfunction with a lifting apparatus stuck in the ceiling, he ended the performance on the stage floor. 'Now I get to fly in the final instead', Greczula told TT. Melodifestivalen's project manager Anders Wistbacka explained that one motor safety-stopped and no re-performance was deemed necessary.
A-Teens, reuniting after 20 years since splitting in 2004, charmed the audience with 'Iconic' and secured the second final spot. Members Marie Serneholt, Sara Lumholdt, Amit Paul, and Dhani Lennevald expressed joy: 'Now all the feelings come at once, as Per Gessle would have said', Amit Paul told TT.
Jacqline advanced to the final qualifier with 'Woman', a Beyoncé-scented entry. 'It feels great, I took bronze right now', she commented to TT. The eliminated acts were Indra with 'Beautiful lie', Noll2 with 'Berusade ord', and Junior Lerin with 'Copacabana boy'.
The show was hosted by Gina Dirawi in her fourth outing and debutant Hampus Nessvold. A highlight was Maja Ivarsson's charming cover of the 1980 'Växeln hallå', performed in Skåne dialect alongside drag queens Elecktra and Admira, inducted into Melodifestivalen's Hall of Fame. The evening opened with jokes about Dirawi's background and Eurovision debates.
