Though Spain won’t be competing at Eurovision 2026, the popular music festival will continue as planned, with the winning act taking home a prize of €150,000.
The week for Benidorm Fest 2026 is underway. Despite Spain not having a representative at Eurovision 2026, the music competition is proceeding in the country. Javier Ambrossi, Jesús Vázquez and Inés Hernand will host the two semi-finals and the final, which will air on La 1 of RTVE. The winning entry will receive €150,000, with €100,000 going to the artists and €50,000 to the songwriters.
RTVE The jury is comprised of eight members: Alicia García, Director of Strategic Agreements and Sponsorships at Starlite; Almudena Heredero, President of the Association of Women in the Music Industry; Dani Ruiz, producer and composer; Ignacio Meyer, President of Univision Networks Group; Javier Llano, journalist and member of the Music Academy; Melanie Parejo, Director of Music for Southern and Eastern Europe at Spotify; Roberto Santamaría, Director of RNE; and Sonia Durán Guarasa, Manager of the Independent Phonographic Union.
When does Benidorm Fest 2026 begin?
The Benidorm Fest 2026 kicks off this Tuesday, February 10th, with its first semi-final on La 1. The competition will begin at 11:00 PM, immediately following La Revuelta, with a performance by KITAI – El Amor Te Da Miedo. María León ft. Julia Media – Las Damas y el Vagabundo, Luna Ki – Bomba de amor, Greg Taro – Velita, Izan Llunas – ¿Qué vas a hacer?, Dora & Marlon Collins – Rakatá, Tony Grox & LUCYCALYS – T AMARÉ, Mikel Herzog Jr. – Mi Mitad, Kenneth – Los Ojos No Mienten will also perform. Fangoria and Paloma San Basilio are scheduled as guest performers.
The second semi-final will seize place on Thursday, February 12th, at 11:00 PM, following the Copa del Rey semi-final match between Atlético de Madrid and F.C. Barcelona. The performance order will be: ASHA – Turista, KU Minerva – No Volveré a Llorar, Funambulista – SOBRAN GILIPO**AS, Dani J – Bailándote, The Quinquis – Tú No Me Quieres, Atyat – Dopamina, Rosalinda Galán – Mataora, MAYO – Tócame, and Miranda! & bailamamá – Despierto Amándote.
A total of 12 entries, six from each semi-final, will advance to the grand final, which will air on February 14th starting at 10:00 PM on La 1 of RTVE.
Who is the favorite to win Benidorm Fest 2026?
According to verTele, based on Spotify and YouTube plays as of February 5th, Miranda! & Bailamamá with Despierto amándote are the frontrunners to win Benidorm Fest 2026, with 1,760,464 listens. Kenneth with Los ojos no mienten (1,165,493) and Dani J with Bailándote (1,089,632) follow closely behind.
The next contenders are The Quinquis with Tú no me quieres, followed by: Luna Ki with Bomba de amor, Tony Grox & Lucycalys with T Amaré, Funambulista with Sobran gilipollas, Greg Taro with Velita, Mayo with Tócame, and María León & Julia Medina with Las Damas y el Vagabundo rounding out the top 10. All of these artists have garnered less than one million streams.
Based on digital platform play counts, Miranda! & Bailamamá with Despierto amándote is the clear favorite to win this edition. Will they ultimately be the winners of the €100,000 prize?
