The Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will take place in Malta on Saturday, October 24. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU-UER) has confirmed the host country of the successful European children’s competition after months of speculation, following France’s decision to decline hosting the event, despite having won the Tbilisi 2025 edition.
A few weeks ago, sources from San Marino suggested that the host country would be North Macedonia, something that has ultimately not been the case.
Thus, the 24th edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest will be held on Saturday, October 24 at the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre (MFCC) in Ta’ Qali, within the local council of Attard, which will be transformed into a vibrant ‘Eurovision Festa Village!’. The venue is known for hosting the Malta Eurovision Song Contest, the country’s selection for the Eurovision Song Contest in its recent editions.
Once again, the European competition will be hosted by a country that did not win the previous edition. In fact, Malta in Tbilisi 2025 finished in 11th place with 92 points, represented by the young Eliza Borg with her song «I Believe».
As a new development, the contest will take place in the month of October, something that has never happened before, as the festival has traditionally been held in November and December. However, the first edition of the Eurovision Asia Festival on November 14 has forced changes in the EBU calendar. The organization highlights that Malta has always demonstrated a strong commitment to the contest, making it “a natural choice to welcome” fans and delegations.
The Maltese broadcaster PBS invites Eurofans to “join us in a unique celebration where Mediterranean tradition and the future of music come together under the same sky. It is music, it is joy, it is a party… it is the Junior Eurovision Song Contest!”
On this occasion, the contest will offer an immersive experience that will merge the Maltese tradition of the ‘Festa’, recognized by UNESCO, with a top-level production, turning the venue into an “explosion of happiness” for European youth.
At present, eight countries have confirmed their participation in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026: France (France TV), Georgia (GPB), Ireland (TG4), North Macedonia (MRT), Malta (PBS), Netherlands (AVROTROS), Poland (TVP), and Portugal (RTP). Some of them are already immersed in the preparations for their selection processes.
“We are delighted to bring the Junior Eurovision Song Contest back to Malta with PBS. Malta has an exceptional track record in the contest, not only for its successes on stage but also as a host broadcaster that knows how to create a top-level event for young artists. We know that PBS will once again deliver a spectacular show that captures the creativity, diversity, and spirit that define Junior Eurovision.”
Martin Green, Director of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest
Let us remember that Malta has achieved two victories in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest: in Kyiv 2013 with Gaia Cauchi and her song «The Start», and again in Bulgaria 2015 with Destiny Chukunyere and her song «Not My Soul». In addition, it has hosted the European children’s competition in the 2014 and 2016 editions, in Marsa and Valletta, respectively. Therefore, Malta becomes the first country to host the festival on three occasions.
“Malta is the biggest fan and ally of Eurovision, so it is a great honor for us to have been chosen as the host country for this year’s Junior Eurovision Song Contest. This event celebrates our warmth and cultural heritage, and we hope to turn it into a historic occasion. Malta is not only ready to host such a prestigious event, but is also committed to continuing to strengthen its relationship with the EBU and its members.”
Keith Chetcuti, Executive Director of PBS
France has withdrawn from hosting the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026
France achieved its fourth victory in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2025 thanks to Lou Deleuze and her song «Ce Monde». Despite this win, the broadcaster France Télévisions declined for the second time in its history to host the contest in 2026. On the previous occasion, the festival was hosted in Madrid (Spain) in 2024.
On December 18, the public broadcaster France Télévisions announced its decision to отказаться from organizing Junior Eurovision 2026 due to the delicate financial situation affecting the French audiovisual group.
The Board of Directors approved a balanced budget for 2026 with restrictive measures, in which the expected public funding will be reduced by €65.2 million compared to 2025 and by more than €200 million compared to the initial figures set in the 2024–2028 Objectives and Resources Agreement.
In addition, the corporation is facing a 2025 deficit, worsened by an additional reduction of more than €20 million in public funding, the impact of inflation, and the rise in structural costs. In total, the adjustment effort reached €140 million, a historic figure that severely limited the broadcaster’s ability to organize major international events such as the Junior Eurovision Song Contest.
Among the measures proposed, the suspension of certain formats and the possible sale of rights to some flagship sporting events stood out. The adjustment plan also foresees an additional reduction of 112 full-time equivalent jobs, bringing the total number of eliminated positions since 2015 to 1,277.