Armenia has won the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026. Naré took the crystal microphone with «BOO!» on Saturday 24 October at the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre (MFCC) in Ta’ Qali, Malta, after winning the online vote. Spain’s Lucas Paulano finished second with «Cuore Bello (Te Quiero, Te Quiero)».
It is Armenia’s third Junior Eurovision victory, after 2010 and 2021, and the country’s first since Maléna won with «Qami Qami».
How did Armenia win Junior Eurovision 2026?
As every year, the result was decided 50% by professional juries and 50% by the online vote on JESC.tv. The juries, who voted after watching the dress rehearsal on Friday, put France on top: Alec won the jury vote with 114 points, ahead of Spain (108) and Armenia (103).
The online vote then turned the contest around. Armenia won the public vote and overtook France and Spain to claim the trophy, with the scores revealed from lowest to highest according to the jury ranking.
https://www.esc-plus.com/france-wins-the-jury-vote-at-junior-eurovision-2026-full-jury-ranking/
A night of firsts in Malta
The 24th edition of the contest was the first to start at 21:00 CEST, the same time slot as the Eurovision Song Contest. It was hosted by Gaia Cauchi (Junior Eurovision 2013 winner), Destiny Chukunyere (2015 winner) and Keane Cutajar, and it was the third time Malta organised the children’s contest, after 2014 and 2016. Sixteen countries took part, with the Netherlands opening the show and Spain closing it.
Where will Junior Eurovision 2027 be held?
Winning Junior Eurovision does not automatically mean hosting the next edition: the EBU chooses the host among the broadcasters that bid. Armenia hosted the contest in Yerevan in 2011 and 2022, both times after winning.
https://www.esc-plus.com/where-will-junior-eurovision-2027-be-held/