Gaia, Destiny and Keane Cutajar named hosts of Junior Eurovision 2026 in Malta

Hosts unveiled for Junior Eurovision 2026

The European Broadcasting Union and host broadcaster Public Broadcasting Services confirmed on 15 September 2026 that Gaia Cauchi, Destiny Chukunyere and Keane Cutajar will host the 24th Junior Eurovision Song Contest. All three previously presented the Malta Eurovision Song Contest together earlier in 2026. The contest is scheduled for Saturday 24 October at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Center in Ta' Qali.

Two former winners return to the Junior Eurovision stage

Gaia Cauchi gave Malta its first Junior Eurovision victory in 2013 with "The Start," while Destiny Chukunyere secured the country's second win in 2015 with "Not My Soul," a record 185-point haul under the contest's old voting system. Both singers are currently coaches on The Voice Kids Malta, the show used to select the Maltese representative for this year's contest. Destiny later represented Malta at the Eurovision Song Contest 2021, finishing seventh with "Je me casse." Their hosting roles mark a return to the Junior Eurovision stage that launched their careers.

Keane Cutajar joins as the on-stage presenter

Keane Cutajar is a Maltese television and radio presenter with experience across live entertainment and major productions, including Isle of MTV 2025, Michael McIntyre Live in Malta and consecutive years of the country's New Year's Eve broadcast. He also previously competed in Malta's national selection for Junior Eurovision. The trio are described as three faces closely associated with Malta's Junior Eurovision history.

A festa-themed production in Ta' Qali

PBS officials framed the 2026 edition as one of the largest international productions ever staged by the broadcaster. The creative theme, "Il-Festa" or "Join the Festa," draws on the Maltese festa, with the MFCC stage being transformed into a typical Maltese village square featuring church bells, bands, lights and fireworks. PBS Chief Executive Keith Chetcuti said the event would "bring the Maltese festa to European countries" watching the EBU-organized contest and frame it as part of Malta's UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage.

Third Junior Eurovision hosted in Malta

The 2026 show will be the third Junior Eurovision staged in Malta, following the 2014 and 2016 editions, with sixteen countries set to compete. Minister for Culture Malcolm Paul Agius Galea characterized the government's support for hosting the contest as an investment in young people and local talent, while PBS officials noted that additional celebrations linked to the event are planned across Malta and Gozo.