Suspilne, the Ukrainian national broadcaster, has confirmed its participation in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026.
Ukraine will participate in Junior Eurovision 2026. The Ukrainian representative for Ta’ Qali will be selected through a national final, which will take place in September. The application window for the national selection will open soon.
Oksana Skybinska, Head of Delegation for Ukraine at Junior Eurovision, explained:
“This year, Junior Eurovision will take place earlier than usual. Since the contest is scheduled for October, the final of the national selection should also be expected earlier, in September. We are already preparing many surprises for the participants of this year’s national selection. The application deadline will be announced soon. We will look forward to applications from talented children who dream of a big stage. We continue to dream boldly .”
Svitlana Tarabarova will return as the Musical Director for the Ukrainian selection for Junior Eurovision. She added:
“The path to Malta begins with a simple application for the competition. I am waiting and preparing to surprise the world with you.”
Sofia Neresesian represented Ukraine at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2025 with “Motanka”. She won the public vote and finished second overall with 177 points. This was Ukraine’s best result at Junior Eurovision since 2013.
Junior Eurovision 2026
Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will take place October 24 in the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre in Ta’ Qali. This will be the third time that Malta will host the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, having done so previously in 2014 and 2016.
To date, the following countries have confirmed their intention to compete in the 2026 contest:
- 🇦🇱 Albania: Eslin Kurti – “Kërce me mua”
- 🇫🇷 France
- 🇬🇪 Georgia: Davit Lomidze
- 🇮🇪 Ireland
- 🇮🇹 Italy
- 🇲🇹 Malta
- 🇳🇱 Netherlands
- 🇲🇰 North Macedonia
- 🇵🇱 Poland: Wiktor Sas
- 🇵🇹 Portugal: Salvador Rio
- 🇸🇲 San Marino
- 🇺🇦 Ukraine
The following countries, who have previously participated, have declined returning to the contest:
- 🇦🇺 Australia: Last participated in 2016
- 🇧🇪 Belgium: Last competed in 2012
- 🇩🇰 Denmark: Last participated in 2005
- 🇪🇪 Estonia: Last participated in 2024
- 🇩🇪 Germany: Last participated in 2024
- 🇳🇴 Norway: Last participated in 2005
- 🇸🇮 Slovenia: Last participated in 2015
- 🇸🇪 Sweden: Last participated in 2014
- 🏴Wales: Last participated in 2019
The following countries have ruled out debuting in the contest:
- 🇨🇿 Czechia: Never broadcast the contest
- 🇫🇮 Finland: Last broadcast the contest in 2003
- 🇮🇸 Iceland: Last broadcast the contest in 2021
Source: Suspilne
Ukraine debuted in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2006 and has competed in the contest ever since. To date, Ukraine has only won the competition once. In 2012, Anastasiya Petryk won in Amsterdam with the song “Nebo”. She scored 138 points, including eight sets of 12 points. Ukraine has hosted the contest twice, the first time in 2009 and the second in 2013 following their victory in Amsterdam.
