Melodifestivalen 2022

The event was planned to return to its traditional tour around six cities of the country (namely Malmö, Gothenburg, Linköping, Lidköping, Örnsköldsvik and Stockholm) with venues available for spectators, after the previous edition was entirely held in one place and without an audience due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

[1][4][5] However, due to tightening restrictions in light of the spread of the Omicron variant, SVT announced on 14 January 2022 that all shows would instead be held in Stockholm.

[11] Proceeds from the voting in the fourth heat, semi-finals and final were donated to aid relief efforts during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

For the first time, the full breakdown of the results, including points given out by each age group, is shown on screen.

On 7 September 2021, Oscar Zia was revealed to return as the main presenter for the show in 2022, after hosting the second heat of Melodifestivalen 2021.

[3] Radio and television host Farah Abadi served as the artists' interviewer along the course of the competition and co-hosted the final.

For the final, a commentary in English was provided by Olivia Le Poidevin and Bella Qvist on a separate stream on SVT Play.

[18] Upon closing the submission period, SVT announced that over 2,500 applications had been received, to be reviewed by a professional jury chaired by producer Karin Gunnarson.

[20][21] Several participants had previously competed at Melodifestivalen: Cornelia Jakobs (2011 and 2012, as part of Love Generation), Alvaro Estrella (2014, 2020 and 2021), Robin Bengtsson (2016, 2020, and winner in 2017), Lisa Ajax (2016, 2017, and 2019), Omar Rudberg (2017, as part of FO&O, and solo in 2019), Liamoo (2018 and 2019), John Lundvik (2018 and winner in 2019), Malou Prytz (2019 and 2020), Anna Bergendahl (2019, 2020, and winner in 2010), Faith Kakembo (2020), Klara Hammarström (2020 and 2021), band Lillasyster (2021), Sami Rekik, member of Medina (2021, with WAHL), Danne Stråhed (1992, as part of Wizex) and veterans Linda Bengtzing (2005, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2014, 2016 and 2020) and Shirley Clamp (2003, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2011 and 2014).

[32][24] The final took place on 12 March 2022 in the Friends Arena, Stockholm, where Cornelia Jakobs won with her song "Hold Me Closer".