The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is delighted to announce that Malta’s national broadcaster, Public Broadcasting Services (PBS), will host the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026.

The Contest will return to Malta for the first time since 2016, when the island last staged the event in Valletta, delivering a vibrant and memorable show that celebrated young musical talent from across Europe and beyond. PBS also hosted the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2014. 

The 24th Junior Eurovision Song Contest will be held on Saturday 24 October at the MFCC venue in Ta’Qali which will be transformed into a vibrant Eurovision Festa Village!  

This immersive experience will merge the UNESCO-recognized Maltese "Festa" heritage with world-class production, turning the arena into an "explosion of happiness" for the youth of Europe. 

PBS are inviting fans to “unite with us for a unique celebration where Mediterranean tradition and the future of music unite under one sky. It’s music, it’s joy, it’s a festa .... it is the Junior Eurovision Song Contest!”

Malta has long been one of the most successful nations in Junior Eurovision history, winning the Contest twice - in 2013 with Gaia Cauchi’s The Start and again in 2015 with Destiny’s Not My Soul. The country has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to the Contest, both on and off the stage, making it a natural choice to welcome fans and delegations from the Junior Eurovision family once again.

Martin Green, Director of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, said: “We are thrilled to be bringing the Junior Eurovision Song Contest back to Malta with PBS. Malta has an exceptional track record in the Contest, not only in terms of its successes on stage but also as a host broadcaster that understands how to create a world-class event for young performers. We know that PBS will once again deliver a spectacular show that captures the creativity, diversity and spirit at the heart of Junior Eurovision.”

Keith Chetcuti, Chief Executive Officer of PBS, added: "Malta is Eurovision’s biggest fan and ally and therefore it is our biggest honour to be chosen as the host nation for this year’s Junior Eurovision Song Contest. This event is a celebration of our warmth and heritage, and we look forward to making this a landmark event. Malta is not only ready to host such a prestigious event but also committed to keep building its relationship with EBU and our colleague Members."

The Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will showcase talented performers aged nine to 14 from across Europe and beyond, celebrating youth, creativity, and cultural diversity through original musical performances. 

Further details, including the full participant lineup, will be announced in the coming months.

Now in its 23rd year, Junior Eurovision Song Contest continues to provide a unique platform for young artists aged 9 to 14 to showcase their talent on an international stage, bringing audiences together through music, creativity and cultural exchange.