Competing countriesCountries that participated in the past but not in 2026
Vote
Voting system
The professional jury of each country awards a set of 12, 10, 8–1 points to 10 songs. Viewers around the world vote for 3 songs, and their votes are distributed proportionally. The votes of the jury and the audience make up 50% of all votes.
Broadcasters from sixteen countries participated in the contest, with Azerbaijan and Croatia both opting not to participate after doing so the previous year.
The winner was Armenia with the song "Boo!" by Naré, its third win after five years. With Spain, jury vote winner France, San Marino, and Georgia completing the top five. San Marino and Montenegro received their best results in any Eurovision event to date, placing fourth and twelfth respectively, while Albania received its second-worst result to date. North Macedonia finished last for the fourth time.
Location
Ta' Qali
Location of Ta' Qali, where the contest venue is located (in blue)
Unlike the Eurovision Song Contest, the winning broadcaster of the previous year's Junior Eurovision Song Contest does not automatically receive the right to host the next contest. However, since 2011 (with the exceptions of 2012, 2015, 2018, and 2024) it has become customary for winners to take on hosting duties, and since 2019, the winning broadcaster has had the right of first refusal on hosting the following competition.[2]
On 18 December 2025, French broadcaster France Télévisions, which won the 2025 contest, announced that it would not host in 2026 due to financial reasons.[3][4] This was the second time that the broadcaster declined to host after winning, the first being in 2024.[5] Sammarinese broadcaster San Marino RTV (SMRTV) subsequently announced it would bid to host the contest.[6]
On 15 May 2026, the EBU announced that Public Broadcasting Services (PBS) had been selected to host the 2026 contest at the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre in Ta' Qali, Malta. It will be the third time that the contest has been held in Malta, with PBS having previously hosted it in 2014 and 2016.[7][8] In addition to the main venue, St Paul's Square in Qawra was the location of the Junior Eurovision Pjazza, which was inspired by Malta's patronal festival and featured activities for visitors during the week leading up to the contest.[9]
Eligibility for participation in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest requires a national broadcaster with an EBU membership capable of receiving the contest via the Eurovision network and broadcasting it live nationwide. The EBU issues an invitation to participate in the contest to all members.
On 24 July 2026, the EBU announced that broadcasters from 16 countries would participate in the 2026 contest. Azerbaijan and Croatia opted not to compete after making one-off appearances the previous year. For the first time since 2008, there were no returning or debuting countries.[10][11]
Prior to the contest, a digital compilation album featuring all the songs from the 2026 contest was put together by the EBU and released by Universal Music Group on 9 October 2026.[12][13]
Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026 participants[14]
The date of the event (24 October) is earlier than usual, with most editions having been staged in November. According to PBS, this was for logistical reasons.[31]
Rehearsals in the venue began on 12 October 2026, focusing on the opening and interval acts.[32] The first rehearsals with the artists took place on 18 and 19 October, with each country allowed 30 minutes total on stage, followed by the second rehearsals on 20 and 21 October.[33][34]
Visual and stage design
On 7 September 2026, PBS unveiled the official theme art and stage design for the 2026 contest.[35] The artwork, named "The Festa", is inspired by the Feast of St. Paul's Shipwreck and featured colourful curves and geometric shapes that frame the generic logo, evoking the festive decorations that characterise the festival. The stage design features a central performance area surrounded by elements inspired by Maltese streets, including colourful façades and traditional balconies.[36][37]
The event took place on 24 October 2026 at 21:00 CEST.[10] Sixteen countries participated, with the running order published on 28 September.[40][41] All the countries competing are eligible to vote with the jury vote, as well as participating and non-participating countries under an aggregated international online vote.[42]
The opening of the show featured the traditional flag parade, accompanied by presenters Gaia Cauchi, Destiny Chukunyere, and Keane Cutajar performing the theme song "Ramdamdiridam". The interval acts included a performance titled "Obsessed with (Junior) Eurovision", featuring the presenters alongside 2025 Maltese representatives Eliza Borg (junior contest) and Miriana Conte (adult contest); 2025 winner Lou Deleuze and Eurovision Song Contest 2026 winner Dara performing jointly; and all participants performing the common song "Join the Festa".[43][44]
All participating broadcasters may choose to have on-site or remote commentators providing insight and voting information to their local audience. Some non-participating broadcasters also air the contest. The Junior Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel provides an international live stream of the contest with no commentary.[47]
The following are the broadcasters that have confirmed in whole or in part their broadcasting plans and/or commentators:
Planned broadcasts and commentators in participating countries
↑"Rai Kids – L'autunno 2026 tra continuità e innovazione"[Rai Kids – Fall 2026: A Balance of Continuity and Innovation](PDF). Rai Gulp (in Italian). RAI. 3 July 2026. Rai Gulp rafforza anche la propria dimensione internazionale partecipando al Junior Eurovision Song Contest, in programma a Malta il 24 ottobre.[Rai Gulp is also strengthening its international presence by participating in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, scheduled to take place in Malta on October 24.]
↑"Ана Стојаноска е подготвена за детската Евровизија"[Ana Stojanoska is ready for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest] (in Macedonian). Skopjeinfo. 23 October 2026. Retrieved 23 October 2026. Оваа година, за првпат во улога на коментатори ќе бидат Зорица Николовска и Ване Маркоски[This year, for the first time, Zorica Nikolovska and Vane Markoski will act as commentators]
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Armenia 
