The German broadcaster KiKA has confirmed that it will not return to the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026.
Germany will not be competing in the next edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. KiKA had previously withdrawn from the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2025 following changes to the organisation of German participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. NDR and KiKA had previously collaborated on Junior Eurovision participation; NDR was replaced as the broadcaster responsible for Germany’s Eurovision participation by SWR following the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest.
In a statement to ESC Spot, the broadcaster explained it’s non-participation in 2026:
“Unfortunately, after a long consultation process, we have decided to withdraw from further participation in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest for the foreseeable future. This decision is the result of a structured exchange of views between the editorial staff, those responsible for the program, and the relevant team and the KiKA program committee, who have carefully assessed further participation in the competition in recent months.”
KiKA is the sixth broadcaster that has previously competed in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest that has ruled out a return to the contest in 2026.
Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026
Junior Eurovision 2025 was won by France, but the French broadcaster has declined to host the competition. As a result, conversations are currently ongoing regarding where the 2026 contest will be held. To date, the following broadcasters have confirmed their intention to compete in the 2026 contest:
- 🇬🇪 Georgia: GPB
- 🇮🇪 Ireland: TG4
- 🇳🇱 Netherlands: AVROTROS
- 🇲🇰 North Macedonia: MRT
- 🇵🇱 Poland: TVP
- 🇵🇹 Portugal: RTP
- 🇸🇲 San Marino: SMRTV – Bidding to host the 2026 contest
The following broadcasters, who have previously participated, have declined returning to the contest:
- 🇩🇰 Denmark: DR – Last participated in 2005
- Germany: KiKA – Last participated in 2024
- 🇳🇴 Norway: NRK – Last participated in 2005
- 🇸🇮 Slovenia: RTVSLO – Last participated in 2015
- 🇸🇪 Sweden: SVT – Last participated in 2014
- 🏴Wales: S4C – Last participated in 2019
The following broadcasters have ruled out debuting in the contest:
- 🇧🇪 Belgium: VRT – Last competed in 2012
- 🇨🇿 Czechia: ČT – Never broadcast the contest
- 🇫🇮 Finland: Yle – Last broadcast the contest in 2003
- 🇮🇸 Iceland: RÚV – Last broadcast the contest in 2021
Germany made their debut at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2020, the last Big 5 country to debut in the contest. Susan represented Germany on their debut with the song “Stronger with You”, scoring 66 points but finishing 12th out of 12 entries. Their best result was achieved at the 2023 contest, where they returned after a year out. FIA finished 9th with her song “Ohne Worte”.
