Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016

Estonia in the
Eurovision Song Contest 2016
Eurovision Song Contest 2016
Participating broadcasterEesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR)
Country Estonia
Selection processEesti Laul 2016
Selection date5 March 2016
Competing entry
Song"Play"
ArtistJüri Pootsmann
Songwriters
Placement
Semi-final resultFailed to qualify (18th)
Participation chronology
◄2015 2016 2017►

Estonia was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with the song "Play" written by Fred Krieger, Stig Rästa and Vallo Kikas. The song was performed by Jüri Pootsmann. The Estonian broadcaster Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR) organised the national final Eesti Laul 2016 in order to select the Estonian entry for the 2016 contest in Stockholm, Sweden. The national final consisted of three shows: two semi-finals and a final. Ten songs competed in each semi-final and the top five from each semi-final as determined by a jury panel and public vote qualified to the final. In the final, the winner was selected over two rounds of voting. In the first round, a jury panel and a public vote selected the top three to qualify to the superfinal. In the superfinal, "Play" performed by Jüri Pootsmann was selected as the winner entirely by a public vote.

Estonia was drawn to compete in the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest which took place on 10 May 2016. Performing during the show in position 13, "Play" was not announced among the top 10 entries of the first semi-final and therefore did not qualify to compete in the final. It was later revealed that Estonia placed eighteenth (last) out of the 18 participating countries in the semi-final with 24 points.