Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026

Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026
United by Music[1]
Date and venue
Final
  • 24 October 2026
VenueMalta Fairs & Conventions Centre
Ta' Qali, Malta
Organisation
OrganiserEuropean Broadcasting Union (EBU)
ESC directorMartin Green
ESC executive producerGert Kark[2]
Host broadcasterPublic Broadcasting Services (PBS)
Participants
Number of entries16
Non-returning countries
Participation map
  • Belarus in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestBelgium in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestCroatia in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestCyprus in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestDenmark in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestGreece in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestLatvia in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestNorth Macedonia in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestMalta in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestNetherlands in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestNorway in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestPoland in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestRomania in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestSpain in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestSweden in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestEstonia in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestFrance in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestSwitzerland in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestGermany in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestAustralia in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestAustralia in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestPortugal in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestSerbia in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestUkraine in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestArmenia in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestBulgaria in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestGeorgia in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestLithuania in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestMoldova in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestAlbania in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestIsrael in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestAzerbaijan in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestSan Marino in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestItaly in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestMontenegro in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestSlovenia in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestIreland in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestKazakhstan in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestUnited Kingdom in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestUnited Kingdom in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestRussia in the Junior Eurovision Song ContestWales in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest
         Competing countries     Countries that participated in the past but not in 2026

The Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026 is set to be the 24th edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, held on 24 October 2026 at the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre in Ta' Qali, Malta. It will be organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster Public Broadcasting Services (PBS). It will be the third time that Malta has hosted the contest, having previously done so in 2014 and 2016. The contest will be also the first to be held in October.

Broadcasters from sixteen countries will participate in the contest, with Azerbaijan and Croatia both opting not to participate after doing so the previous year.[3]

Location

Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026 is located in Malta
Ta' Qali
Ta' Qali
Location of the selected host city (in blue)

The 2026 contest will take place in Ta' Qali, Malta. It will be the third time that Malta has hosted the contest, having previously done so in 2014 and 2016,[4] as well as the first time the contest is being held in October for "logistical reasons".[5] The selected venue for the contest is the 10,268-seat Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre, which will be transformed into a "Eurovision Festa Village", inspired by Malta's patronal festival tradition, for the event.[4]

Bidding phase and host city selection

Unlike the Eurovision Song Contest, the winning broadcaster of the previous year's Junior Eurovision Song Contest does not automatically receive the right to host the next edition. However, since 2011 (with the exceptions of 2012, 2015, 2018 and 2024) it has become customary for winners to take on hosting duties, and since 2019, the winning broadcaster has had the right of first refusal on hosting the following competition. On 18 December 2025, French broadcaster France Télévisions, which won the 2025 contest, announced that it had opted not to host in 2026, citing a plan to reduce the costs of national programming;[6] this marked its second refusal to stage the event in a three-year span, having also done so in 2024.[7]

A bidding phase was reportedly held for the first time since 2018 in order to identify the host country.[8] In December 2025, Sammarinese broadcaster SMRTV announced that it would submit a bid to host the event;[9] however, on 7 March 2026, its director Roberto Sergio stated that the application had not been chosen and that the contest would be held in North Macedonia,[10] with Macedonian media outlets reporting Skopje as the host city.[11] On 15 May 2026, the EBU announced Malta had been selected to host the 2026 contest instead, with the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre in Ta' Qali as the selected venue.[4]

Participants

Eligibility for participation in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest requires a national broadcaster with active EBU membership capable of receiving the contest via the Eurovision network and broadcasting the contest live nationwide. The EBU issues an invitation to participate in the contest to all active members.

On 24 July 2026, the EBU announced that broadcasters from 16 countries would participate in the 2026 contest. Azerbaijan and Croatia opted not to compete after making one-off appearances the previous year.[12]

Participants of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026
Country Broadcaster Artist Song Language Songwriter(s) Ref.
 Albania RTSH Eslin Kurti "Kërce me mua" Albanian
  • Eriona Rushiti
  • Rei Bezhani
 [13]
 Armenia AMPTV [14]
 Cyprus CyBC Harry Georgiou [15]
 France France Télévisions Alec [16][17]
 Georgia GPB Davit Lomidze [18]
 Ireland TG4 TBD 11 October 2026 [19][20][21]
 Italy RAI [22][23]
 Malta PBS [24]
 Montenegro RTCG Mija Vujović "Muzika nas spaja" (Музика нас спаја) TBA
[25][26][27]
 Netherlands AVROTROS TBD 19 September 2026 [28][29][30]
 North Macedonia MRT Ana Stojanoska "Idnata jas" (Идната јас) TBA
[31][32]
 Poland TVP Wiktor Sas [33][34]
 Portugal RTP Salvador Rio Diogo Piçarra [35][36]
 San Marino SMRTV [25]
 Spain RTVE Lucas Paulano [37]
 Ukraine Suspilne TBD 13 September 2026 [38]

Broadcasts

All participating broadcasters may choose to have on-site or remote commentators providing insight and voting information to their local audience. Although they are required to broadcast the show in which their country votes, most broadcasters air the contest. Some non-participating broadcasters also air the contest. The Junior Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel provides international live streams with no commentary of all shows.

The following are the broadcasters that have confirmed in whole or in part their broadcasting plans and/or commentators:

Confirmed broadcasters and commentators
Country Broadcaster Channel(s) Commentator(s) Ref.
 Italy RAI Rai Gulp Mario Acampa [22][39]
 North Macedonia MRT MRT 1, MRT 5 TBA [40]
 Spain RTVE La 1 TBA [41][42]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "18 countries will take part in Junior Eurovision 2025". Junioreurovision.tv. EBU. 1 October 2025. Archived from the original on 14 November 2025. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  2. ↑ "Junior Eurovision Song Contest Steering Group". European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  3. ↑ Granger, Anthony. "Sixteen Countries to Compete in Junior Eurovision 2026". Eurovoix. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 "Malta to host Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026". Eurovision.com. EBU. 15 May 2026. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
  5. ↑ Granger, Anthony (15 May 2026). "Junior Eurovision 2026 in October for 'Logistical Reasons'". Eurovoix. Retrieved 15 May 2026.
  6. ↑ "Un effort de 140 M€ pour un budget 2026 à l'équilibre" [An effort of €140 million for a balanced budget by 2026] (in French). France Télévisions. 18 December 2025. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  7. ↑ "Spain will host Junior Eurovision 2024". Junioreurovision.tv. EBU. 14 February 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  8. ↑ Granger, Anthony (31 December 2025). "Looking Ahead at 2026 in the World of Eurovision". Eurovoix. Retrieved 31 December 2025.
  9. ↑ "San Marino RTV presenta nuovi studi, nuovo palinsesto, piano di rilancio tecnologico e di risorse umane" [San Marino RTV presents new studios, new programming schedule, and a technological and human resources relaunch plan] (in Italian). SMRTV. 22 December 2025. Retrieved 22 December 2025.
  10. ↑ Granger, Anthony (7 March 2026). "North Macedonia to Host the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026?". Eurovoix. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
  11. ↑ "Историски момент за Македонија: Junior Eurovision 2026 ќе се одржи во Скопје – еве кога!" [A historic moment for Macedonia: Junior Eurovision 2026 will be held in Skopje – here's when!]. Prv.mk (in Macedonian). 15 March 2026. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
  12. ↑ "16 broadcasters confirmed for Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Malta". ebu.ch. EBU. 24 July 2026. Retrieved 24 July 2026.
  13. ↑ Farren, Neil (1 June 2026). "Albania: Eslin Kurti to Junior Eurovision 2026". Eurovoix. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  14. ↑ Granger, Anthony (18 June 2026). "Armenia: Junior Eurovision 2026 Selection Launched". Eurovoix. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  15. ↑ "Meet the Cypriot singer for Junior Eurovision 2026". Eurovision.com. EBU. 13 July 2026. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
  16. ↑ Granger, Anthony (14 May 2026). "France: Junior Eurovision 2026 Participation Confirmed". Eurovoix. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
  17. ↑ Farren, Neil (20 June 2026). "France: Alec to Junior Eurovision 2026". Eurovoix. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
  18. ↑ Kenkadze, David (6 June 2026). "Georgia: Davit Lomidze Selected for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026". Eurovoix. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  19. ↑ "Junior Eurovision 2026". TG4 (in English and Irish). Adare Productions. 30 January 2026. Retrieved 30 January 2026. The winner will go on to represent Ireland at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026.
  20. ↑ Ignatiuk, Szymon (30 January 2026). "Irlandia potwierdza udział w Eurowizji Junior 2026" [Ireland confirms participations in Junior Eurovision 2026]. ESCSpot (in Polish). Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  21. ↑ Farren, Neil (25 August 2026). "Ireland: Junior Eurovision Éire 2026 to Begin on September 13". Eurovoix. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  22. 1 2 "Rai Kids porta a Cartoons on the Bay le anticipazioni del prossimo autunno" [Rai Kids brings previews of next fall to Cartoons on the Bay] (in Italian). RAI. 2 June 2026. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
  23. ↑ Shepherd, Em. "Italy: RAI Confirms Participation in Junior Eurovision 2026". Eurovoix. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
  24. ↑ Oktawia (25 May 2026). "Malta otwiera zgłoszenia do kolejnej edycji „The Voice Kids", której zwycięzca pojedzie na Eurowizję Junior 2026" [Malta opens applications for the next season of "The Voice Kids", whose winner will compete in Junior Eurovision 2026]. ESCSpot (in Polish). Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  25. 1 2 "16 countries will take part in Junior Eurovision 2026". junior.eurovision.com. 24 July 2026. Retrieved 24 July 2026.
  26. ↑ "Mija Vujović predstavlja Crnu Goru na Dječijoj Evroviziji 2026". RTCG (in Montenegrin). 3 August 2026. Retrieved 3 August 2026.
  27. ↑ Dulkiewicz, Oktawia (4 August 2026). ""Muzika Nas Spaja" to tytuł utworu 🇲🇪 Czarnogóry na 🇲🇹 Eurowizję Junior 2026". ESCSpot (in Polish). Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  28. ↑ "Schrijf je in voor het Junior Songfestival 2026" [Sign up for the Junior Songfestival 2026]. NPO Zapp (in Dutch). Nederlandse Publieke Omroep. 20 September 2025. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  29. ↑ Granger, Anthony (13 December 2025). "Junior Eurovision 2026: What Do We Know Already?". Eurovoix. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  30. ↑ "Finale Junior Songfestival 2026" [Final Junior Songfestival 2026]. AVROTROS (in Dutch). 21 April 2026. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  31. ↑ "Ана Стојаноска ќе ја претставува Македонија на Јуниорскиот Евросонг 2026 со песна на Никола Мицевски" [Ana Stojanoska will represent Macedonia at Junior Eurovision 2026 with a song by Nikola Micevski] (in Macedonian). MRT. 16 June 2026. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  32. ↑ "Одлука за избор на композиција за Јуниорски Евросонг 2026" [Decision on the selection of composition for Junior Eurovision 2026] (PDF) (in Macedonian). MRT. 16 June 2026. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  33. ↑ Oktawia (9 May 2026). "Wiktor Sas będzie reprezentować Polskę na Eurowizji Junior 2026" [Wiktor Sas will represent Poland at Junior Eurovision 2026]. ESCSpot (in Polish). Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  34. ↑ Wilkołek, Vanessa (9 May 2026). "Znamy zwycięzcę 'The Voice Kids'! To on pojedzie na Eurowizję Junior" [We know who won "The Voice Kids"! He's the one going to Junior Eurovision]. Fakt (in Polish). Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  35. ↑ Ângelo, Miguel (25 May 2026). "Salvador Rio é o vencedor do 'The Voice Kids 2026'" [Salvador Rio is the winner of The Voice Kids 2026]. A Televisão (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 25 May 2026.
  36. ↑ Granger, Anthony (21 July 2026). "Portugal: Salvador Rio Records Song for Junior Eurovision". Eurovoix. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  37. ↑ Mancheño, José Miguel (31 July 2026). "Lucas Paulano representará a España en Eurovisión Junior 2026" [Lucas Paulano will represent Spain in Junior Eurovision 2026]. ESCplus España (in Spanish). Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  38. ↑ "Україна візьме участь у Дитячому Євробаченні – 2026" [Ukraine will participate in Junior Eurovision 2026]. Suspilne (in Ukrainian). 11 June 2026. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  39. ↑ "Rai Kids - L'autunno 2026 tra continuità e innovazione" [Rai Kids - Fall 2026: A Balance of Continuity and Innovation] (PDF). RAI (in Italian). 3 July 2026. Rai Gulp rafforza anche la propria dimensione internazionale partecipando al Junior Eurovision Song Contest, in programma a Malta il 24 ottobre. [Rai Gulp is also strengthening its international presence by participating in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, scheduled to take place in Malta on October 24.]
  40. ↑ "Годишна програма за работа на Македонска Радио Телевизија за 2026" [Annual work program of Macedonian Radio Television for 2026] (PDF). Macedonian Radio Television (in Macedonian). 5 November 2025. p. 21, 84. Retrieved 5 November 2025. Со континуираното учество на МРТ на Јуниорскиот Евросонг, се гради и трајна едукативна платформа, преку која децата учат за тимска работа, сценска дисциплина, културна разноликост и медиумска одговорност. Оваа манифестација е многу повеќе од натпревар – таа е инвестиција во младите генерации и нивниот културен и уметнички развој. [With the continued participation of MRT in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, a permanent educational platform is being built, through which children learn about teamwork, stage discipline, cultural diversity and media responsibility. This event is much more than a competition – it is an investment in the young generations and their cultural and artistic development.]
  41. ↑ Dulkiewicz, Oktawia (8 August 2026). "Hiszpania wyemituje Eurowizję Junior 2026 na kanale La 1". ESCSpot (in Polish). Retrieved 8 August 2026.
  42. ↑ Shepherd, Em. "Spain: Junior Eurovision 2026 Will Be Broadcast on La 1 and RTVE Play". Eurovoix. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
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