Just two days after Spain’s Head of Delegation César Vallejo announced that the Benidorm Fest 2026 songs will be released on December 18, RTVE has now confirmed when the participants will be unveiled.
Artists to be announced this week
According to María Eizaguirre, RTVE’s Director of Communication and Participation, the artists competing in Benidorm Fest 2026 will be officially announced on Thursday, October 9 at 16:30 CET.
Eizaguirre revealed the date during a press event for Gonzalo Pinillos’ Junior Eurovision 2025 entry.
The list will feature the acts chosen from the 870 submissions received during the open call – with RTVE’s selection committee expected to choose 16 to 20 acts based on musical quality
A contest beyond Eurovision
RTVE has reaffirmed that Benidorm Fest will go ahead regardless of Spain’s participation at Eurovision 2026, as previously confirmed by the Valencian government.
Carlos Mazón, President of the Generalitat Valenciana, described the event as:
“A flagship product that showcases the best of our music industry, Valencian creativity, and Spanish talent.”
Major changes for 2026
Benidorm Fest 2026 will introduce several updates to its format and stage design:
- A pentagonal stage inspired by Benidorm’s Balcón del Mediterráneo
- New jury structure based on group consensus rather than individual votes
- Public rehearsals, celebrating 70 years of RTVE and Eurovision
- Introduction of a musical direction team and live vocal auditions if required
- Borja Rueda, choreographer for Eurovision 2025 winner JJ, joins the creative team
As previously confirmed, the competing songs will be released on December 18, completing the lineup for the fifth edition of the festival.
Spain’s Eurovision journey
Spain debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1961 with Conchita Bautista’s “Estando Contigo”. The country earned its first win in 1968 with Massiel’s “La La La”, and won again in 1969 with Salome’s “Vivo Cantando” in an infamous four-way tie. Although they have yet to win again, Spain earned several 2nd place finishes, most famously with Mocedades’ “Eres tu” in 1973 and Anabel Conde’s “Vuelve conmigo” in 1996.
In 2025, Spain selected Melody. As part of the Big 5, she did not need to qualify for the Grand Final from the semi-finals. At the close of voting, her song “Esa Diva” finished 24th, with a total of 37 points. Of these, 27 points came from the jury, whilst 10 came from the televote.
Who do you want to see on the Benidorm stage? As always, please let us know what you think by getting involved in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Threads, tumblr, and Bluesky for more information about Eurovision 2026!
News source: RTVE
Photo credit: Alma Bengtsson / EBU
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