Today (Friday 15th May 2026) the EBU has announced that the Maltese city of Ta’Qali will host the upcoming Junior Eurovision Song Contest.
This will be the third time Malta have hosted the Junior version of the pan-European contest after hostings in 2016 and 2014. The contest is due to take place on Saturday 24th October 2026. However it is the earliest the contest has taken place, this is due to the fact that the Eurovision Song Contest Asia will take place in November the usual customary home month for the Junior contest.
🇲🇹 Eurovision Festa Village!
Ta’Qali will be transformed into a “Eurovsion 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!”
“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.”
Martin Green – Director of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest
“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.”
Keith Chetcuti – Chief Executive Officer of PBS
🇫🇷 But France won last year?
Yes I can hear you through the screen! But France won last year, why can’t they host? Yes even though France won the 2025 contest, their fourth win in six contests they declined to host siting France Telévisions cost cutting to local programming.
Are you looking forward to the Junior Eurovision Song Contest? 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.
