In the superfinal, "La forza" performed by Elina Nechayeva was selected as the winner entirely by a public vote.

Performing during the show in position 9, "La forza" was announced among the top 10 entries of the first semi-final and therefore qualified to compete in the final on 12 May.

In 2017, "Verona" performed by Koit Toome and Laura failed to qualify Estonia to the final where the song placed fourteenth in the semi-final.

The competition consisted of twenty entries competing in two semi-finals on 10 and 17 February 2018 leading to a ten-song final on 3 March 2018.

The final was also broadcast via radio on Raadio 2 with commentary by Erik Morna, Margus Kamlat, Bert Järvet, Kristo Rajasaare and Mihkel Ulk.

Iiris, Indrek Ventmann, Karl Kristjan, Rolf Roosalu and Semy have all competed in previous editions of Eesti Laul.

The jury panel that voted in the semi-finals consisted of Lenna Kuurmaa, Eeva Talsi, Hanna Parman, Mariliis Mõttus, Kristjan Hirmo, Tomi Rahula, Jaanus Nõgisto, Dave Benton, Rainer Ild, Aleksandr Žemžurov and Erik Morna.

In the superfinal, "La forza" performed by Elina Nechayeva was selected as the winner entirely by a public televote.

[16][17] In addition to the performances of the competing entries, Koit Toome and Laura, who represented Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017, Leslie Da Bass with Evelin Võigemast, and Rasmus Rändvee with X Faktors winner Arturs Gruzdinš performed as the interval acts.

[18] The jury panel that voted in the first round of the final consisted of Valter Soosalu (conductor), Maiken (singer), Ģirts Majors (Positivus Festival organizer), Nicola Caligiore (Italian Eurovision Head of Delegation), Laura Prits (singer), Sten Teppan (Vikerraadio music editor), Joana Levieva-Sawyer (Bulgarian Eurovision Head of Delegation), Helen Sildna (Tallinn Music Week organizer), Ole Tøpholm (radio presenter), Marina Kesler (choreographer) and Ivar Must (composer).

[13][19] According to Eurovision rules, all nations with the exceptions of the host country and the "Big Five" (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) are required to qualify from one of two semi-finals in order to compete for the final; the top ten countries from each semi-final progress to the final.

The first semi-final and final were also broadcast via radio on Raadio 2 with Estonian commentary by Mart Juur and Andrus Kivirähk.

[22] Although there were initially some logistical troubles regarding the projection effect, they were ultimately resolved by the time the Estonian delegation arrived in Lisbon.

Elina Nechayeva was joined by two backing vocalists: the co-composers of "La forza" Mihkel Mattisen and Timo Vendt.

Each nation's jury consisted of five music industry professionals who are citizens of the country they represent, with their names published before the contest to ensure transparency.

This jury judged each entry based on: vocal capacity; the stage performance; the song's composition and originality; and the overall impression by the act.

[28] In addition, no member of a national jury was permitted to be related in any way to any of the competing acts in such a way that they cannot vote impartially and independently.

The individual rankings of each jury member as well as the nation's televoting results were released shortly after the grand final.