The Uuden musiikin kilpailu (UMK), Finland’s national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, is set to take place this Saturday, February 28, at the Nokia Arena in Tampere. The event will be broadcast live on Yle TV1 and the Yle Areena platform starting at 21:00, with additional coverage available on Yle Radio channels including Yle Radio Suomi, Yle X3M, and YleX. This year's competition features seven acts vying for the chance to represent Finland at Eurovision, showcasing a diverse array of musical styles and talents.

The performers include Komiat, Etta, KIKI, Antti Paalanen, CHACHI, and the duo of Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen, who recently emerged as favorites in an earlier Iltalehti poll. The dynamics of public opinion regarding the potential winner may have shifted as the competition approaches, raising intriguing questions about the preferences of the voting audience. Fans are encouraged to participate in a poll to express their opinions on who they believe should win the UMK this year, allowing for a greater engagement with the competition's exciting atmosphere.

As UMK serves as a critical platform for emerging Finnish talent, the stakes are high for the contestants, not only for national recognition but also for the international spotlight associated with Eurovision. With the competition attracting considerable media attention, local audiences are keen to see how their favorites perform in a live setting, while the outcome could have significant implications for the future of the artists involved. The combination of public voting and expert jury assessments will ultimately determine who stands a chance at representing Finland on the Eurovision stage later this year, making this event a focal point for music enthusiasts across the nation.