The Swedish participating broadcaster, Sveriges Television (SVT), selected its entry through Melodifestivalen 2009.

Five heats were held in the Swedish cities of Gothenburg, Skellefteå, Leksand, and Malmö, with Norrköping hosting the final Andra Chansen (Second Chance) round.

Melodifestivalen 2009 implemented a number of new rules which changed the dynamics of the contest, including more people, pre-recorded backing vocals and a new international jury who selected an 11th finalist.

The final winner was Malena Ernman with the pop/opera song "La voix", composed by Ernman and last year's winning composer Fredrik Kempe, and was sung in both English and French.

Ernman received top marks from the televoting public, and only came 8th with the juries.