Lineup revealed
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster Public Broadcasting Services (PBS) of Malta confirmed on 24 July that 16 countries will compete in the 24th Junior Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday 24 October in Ta' Qali, Malta. The participating broadcasters are 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) and Ukraine (Suspilne). Each broadcaster will send a performer aged between 9 and 14 to the Junior Eurovision stage under the slogan "United by Music."
Venue and broadcast details
The live show will begin at 21:00 CEST at the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre (MFCC), which the organisers said will be transformed into a "Eurovision Festa Village." PBS framed the staging as "a unique celebration where Mediterranean tradition and the future of music unite under one sky." Viewers will be able to watch via the participating nations' broadcasters or through the official Junior Eurovision YouTube channel. PBS is staging the contest for the third time, after hosting the 2014 and 2016 editions.
Several participants return after withdrawing from Eurovision 2026
The lineup includes Spain, Ireland and the Netherlands, all of which withdrew from the senior Eurovision Song Contest held in Vienna following backlash over Israel's participation amid broader Middle East tensions. Coverage noted that Israel has not taken part in Junior Eurovision since 2018, putting its absence from the children's contest in a different context from the senior edition.
France holds the title as co-record holder
France is the defending Junior Eurovision champion after 11-year-old Lou Deleuze won the 2025 final with "Ce Monde (This World)" on 248 points, a result that lifted France level with Georgia as joint record holders on four Junior Eurovision titles apiece. Ukraine's Sofia Nersesian finished second in 2025 with "Motanka" on 177 points, while Georgia's Anita Abgariani came third with "Shine Like A Star" on 176 points.
Organisers launch dedicated website
The 24 July announcement was accompanied by the launch of junior.eurovision.com, billed as the new online home for Junior Eurovision news, participant information and contest history, including a "Juniorodex" archive covering all 23 prior editions. EBU Director of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest Martin Green CBE welcomed the lineup and thanked PBS for its preparations ahead of October.
Next milestones
National broadcasters are expected to unveil their Junior Eurovision 2026 representatives and selected songs in the coming months before the live final on Saturday 24 October in Ta' Qali.
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