North Macedonia is set to host the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026, according to the Sammarinese delegation for the Eurovision Song Contest.
Eurofestival News reports that North Macedonia has been chosen by the European Broadcasting Union to host the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026. The outlet reports that the information was revealed during the press conference that followed the San Marino Song Contest 2026 final overnight.
Roberto Sergio was asked by a member of the press whether San Marino would host Junior Eurovision 2026, after San Marino RTV had confirmed that it was bidding for the competition. Roberto Sergio, the Director General of San Marino RTV, commented:
“We have actually applied. San Marino has submitted its candidacy to the EBU, but unfortunately we will not be hosting the event because another country applied before us, so that country will be contacted first.”
Following his response, a discussion took place between the Director General and the Head of Delegation, Denny Monetsi. During the discussion, it is stated:
“France has given up, so we’ll go… I don’t remember where. To Montenegro? No, to North Macedonia. I shouldn’t have said it, but we’ve already said it.”
Should the information be confirmed by the European Broadcasting Union or MRT, it will mark the first time that a Eurovision competition has been held in former Yugoslavia since 2008, when Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, hosted the Eurovision Song Contest. It would also be the first Eurovision contest to be held in North Macedonia.
A bidding process has been held to determine the host of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026 after France, which won the 2025 contest declined to host. 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: San Marino RTV
The following broadcasters, who have previously participated, have declined returning to the contest:
- 🇧🇪 Belgium: VRT – Last competed in 2012
- 🇩🇰 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:
- 🇨🇿 Czechia: ČT – Never broadcast the contest
- 🇫🇮 Finland: Yle – Last broadcast the contest in 2003
- 🇮🇸 Iceland: RÚV – Last broadcast the contest in 2021
North Macedonia was among the original sixteen countries that competed in the first edition of the Junior Eurovison Song Contest. They have competed nearly every year only missing the 2012 and 2014 contests due to financial difficulties and 2020 due to COVID-19. In December 2025, it was confirmed that the Program Council of MRT supported it bidding to host Junior Eurovision in 2027, but also returning to Eurovision.
Nela Mančeska represented North Macedonia at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2025 with the song “Miracle”. She placed 7th in Tbilisi scoring 141 points including 12 points from the jury in Italy and Montenegro.
Source: Eurofestival News
North Macedonia was one of 16 countries to take part in the first edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2003. Marija & Viktorija on the country’s debut with the song “Ti ne me poznavaš”, finishing 12th with 19 points. North Macedonia’s best result to date is 5th place, which they achieved in 2007 with “Ding Ding Dong” by Rosica & Dimitar and in 2008 with “Prati mi SMS” by Bobi Andonov.
Hello from Athens! Please North Macedonia host Junior Eurovision 2026