Malta will host the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026 on October 24.
Malta has been confirmed as the organising country of Junior Eurovision 2026, with the Malta Fairs and Convention Centre being the venue. This will be the third time that the country has hosted the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, having done so in 2014 and 2016 previously.
Following France’s declining to host the 2026 contest after their victory in 2025 in Tbilisi with “Ce monde”, a bidding process was held to determine the hosts of the 2026 contest. It is known that North Macedonia and San Marino also submitted bids to host the competition.
The competition will combine the UNESCO-recognized Maltese ‘Festa’ heritage into the show, with PBS inviting audiences to “unite with us for a unique celebration where Mediterranean tradition and the future of music unite under one sky. It’s music, it’s joy, it’s a festa …. it is the Junior Eurovision Song Contest!”
Martin Green, Director of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, said:
“We are thrilled to be bringing the Junior Eurovision Song Contest back to Malta with PBS. Malta has an exceptional track record in the Contest, not only in terms of its successes on stage but also as a host broadcaster that understands how to create a world-class event for young performers. We know that PBS will once again deliver a spectacular show that captures the creativity, diversity and spirit at the heart of Junior Eurovision.”
Keith Chetcuti, Chief Executive Officer of host broadcast PBS, added:
“Malta is Eurovision’s biggest fan and ally and therefore it is our biggest honour to be chosen as the host nation for this year’s Junior Eurovision Song Contest. This event is a celebration of our warmth and heritage, and we look forward to making this a landmark event. Malta is not only ready to host such a prestigious event but also committed to keep building its relationship with EBU and our colleague Members.”
To date, the following broadcasters have confirmed their intention to compete in the 2026 contest:
- 🇬🇪 Georgia: GPB
- 🇫🇷 France: France Télévisions
- 🇮🇪 Ireland: TG4
- 🇲🇹 Malta: PBS
- 🇳🇱 Netherlands: AVROTROS
- 🇲🇰 North Macedonia: MRT
- 🇵🇱 Poland: TVP
- 🇵🇹 Portugal: RTP
- 🇸🇲 San Marino: SMRTV
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
- 🇪🇪 Estonia: ERR – Last participated in 2024
- 🇩🇪 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
- 🇦🇺 Australia: SBS – Last participated in 2016
The following broadcasters have ruled out debuting in the contest:
- 🇮🇸 Iceland: RÚV – Last broadcast the contest in 2021
- 🇨🇿 Czechia: ČT – Never broadcast the contest
- 🇫🇮 Finland: Yle – Last broadcast the contest in 2003
Source: Eurovision.com
