Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest
Estonia has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 28 times since making its debut in 1994. Its first appearance would have taken place in 1993 but a qualification round was installed for seven former Eastern Bloc countries hoping to make their debut in the contest, with Estonia failing to qualify. Estonia has won the contest once, in 2001.
| Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest | |
|---|---|
| Participating broadcaster | Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR; 2008–present)
Former members
|
| Participation summary | |
| Appearances | 28 (18 finals) |
| First appearance | 1994 |
| Highest placement | 1st: 2001 |
| Host | 2002 |
| Related articles | |
| Eesti Laul | |
| External links | |
| ERR page | |
| Estonia's page at Eurovision.tv | |
| For the most recent participation see Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 | |
Estonia's first participation in 1994 was unsuccessful, finishing 24th (out of 25). Estonia went on to finish in the top eight in six out of seven contests (1996–2002), with Maarja-Liis Ilus and Ivo Linna fifth (1996), Maarja-Liis Ilus returning to finish eighth (1997), Evelin Samuel and Camille sixth (1999) and Ines fourth (2000), before Tanel Padar, Dave Benton and 2XL gave Estonia its first victory in 2001. This made Estonia the first former Soviet country to win the contest and the second eastern European country to win, after Yugoslavia in 1989. Sahlene then finished third for the hosts in Tallinn in 2002.
Since the introduction of the semi-final round in 2004, Estonia has failed to reach the final on ten occasions and has reached the top ten five times, with Urban Symphony sixth (2009), Ott Lepland sixth (2012), Elina Born and Stig Rästa seventh (2015), Elina Nechayeva eighth (2018) and Alika eighth (2023). Estonia's total of eleven top ten results is more than any other Baltic country.