Exciting news has emerged for fans of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, as the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) officially announces the lineup of countries set to compete in the 2026 edition. A total of 16 nations will participate in the event, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, 24 October 2026, in Ta’ Qali, Malta, promising another spectacular display of young talent.
The reveal of the 16 participating countries marks a significant milestone in the preparations for Junior Eurovision 2026, which will be hosted by Public Broadcasting Services (PBS) at the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre. This will be the third time Malta has hosted the contest, having previously done so in 2014 and 2016.
The full list of nations confirmed to participate in the competition consists of:
- Albania (RTSH)
- Armenia (AMPTV)
- Cyprus (CyBC)
- France (France Télévisions)
- Georgia (GPB)
- Ireland (TG4)
- Italy (Rai)
- Malta (PBS)
- Montenegro (RTCG)
- Netherlands (AVROTROS)
- North Macedonia (MKRTV)
- Poland (TVP)
- Portugal (RTP)
- San Marino (SMRTV)
- Spain (RTVE)
- Ukraine (Suspilne)
Martin Green CBE (Director of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest) says:
We are delighted to welcome 16 talented young artists to Malta, backed by their public service broadcasters. The Junior Eurovision Song Contest showcases creativity and through music, fosters international understanding and underlines our commitment to uncovering the next generation of music talent. We thank PBS for the hard work they’re undertaking to create an excellent and memorable show, and we cannot wait to share it with everyone in October.
The EBU’s official press release reads:
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Public Broadcasting Services (PBS) are excited to confirm the 16 broadcasters taking part in the 24th edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday 24 October in Ta’ Qali, Malta. Young performers aged 9 to 14-years-old from 16 different countries will gather in Malta to share their songs, creativity and being United by Music with millions of viewers.
The Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will take place at 21.00 CEST on Saturday 24 October live from the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre (MFCC) in Ta’ Qali, Malta. PBS are hosting the Contest for the third time having staged the event in 2014 and 2016
Fans across Europe and beyond are now eagerly awaiting further details regarding the young artists who will represent their respective countries and their chosen songs. This year’s competition is expected to continue the tradition of showcasing vibrant performances and fostering international camaraderie among its youthful participants.
