RTVE the official Eurovision broadcaster for Spain has confirmed the dates for Benidorm Fest 2026 and more details on the core team members producing the live shows.
🇪🇸 Benidorm Fest 2026 live shows to be held February 10, 12, 14
Following the opening of the song submission window, RTVE have now confirmed the dates for Benidorm Fest 2026. During the Congress of Deputies, RTVE President José Pablo López revealed that Benidorm Fest will move from its usual January slot, to February instead. The two Semi-Finals will take place on February 10 and 12. On Valentine’s Day, February 14 the Grand Final of Benidorm Fest 2026 will be held.
Sergio Jaén the new Artistic Director of Benidorm Fest
As well as the confirmation of the dates, the President of RTVE announced changes to the core team of Benidorm Fest. Fresh from his Eurovision success, Sergio Jaén will be working his staging magic in Spain. The new Artistic Director arrives with vast experience. Most notably, Sergio was the creative mind behind the winning staging for Austria’s ‘Wasted Love’ in Basel. Sergio has also had a hand in the entries, of Ireland 2024, Finland 2025 and Cyprus 2025. Earlier this year, Sergio was the Creative and Multicam Consultant of UMK25.
The Creative Director of Benidorm Fest will supervise the creative team and oversee the overall vision of the show and staging of the songs. It is hoped that it will create a more organic and technical flow to the entire production. Much like other similar festivals such as Italy’s Sanremo and Albania’s Festivali i Këngës.
Spain in the Eurovision Song Contest
Since their debut in 1961, with Conchita Bautista and ‘Estando contigo‘, the Iberian nation has participated in 63 consecutive contests. Only the United Kingdom has a longer unbroken streak. So far Spain has won the Eurovision Song Contest on two occasions. Firstly in 1968 with Massiel and ‘La la la‘ and the following year in the dramatic four-way tie, with Salomé and ‘Vivo cantando‘.
Earlier this year Melody won the fourth edition of Benidorm Fest with the energetic, ‘Esa Diva’. During the Grand Final of the Basel contest, Melody achieved 24th place with 37 points.
Who should represent Spain at Eurovision 2026? Let us know! Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra.bsky.social on Bluesky, @escxtra on Instagram, @escxtra on TikTok and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates! Also, be sure to follow us on Spotify for the latest music from your favourite Eurovision acts. As well as YouTube to see interviews and reactions to the latest Eurovision news.
