OGAE Serbia :: Vaš evrovizijski svet
Although the shadow of a possible boycott still looms over Spain’s participation in Eurovision 2026, the Spanish national selection, Benidorm Fest 2026, is proceeding at full speed!
The public broadcaster RTVE has announced the key dates, and the most exciting news for fans is the confirmation that a major Eurovision star has submitted an entry.
All eyes in the Eurovision community will be on Madrid on Thursday, October 9, when RTVE officially announces the list of contestants selected for the prestigious Benidorm Fest 2026. The artists’ names will be revealed during a special press conference at the Prado del Rey studios, scheduled for 16:30 CET.
870 compositions in the running
While the total number of submitted songs (870) is slightly lower than last year, interest remains exceptionally high. A jury has evaluated all the proposals and selected 16 to 20 songs that will compete for the triumph.
The format of the competition remains unchanged:
- First Semi-Final: February 10, 2026
- Second Semi-Final: February 12, 2026
- Grand Final: February 14, 2026
However, fans will have to wait a little longer to hear the songs themselves. RTVE confirmed that all competing entries will be released on December 18, completing the lineup for the upcoming festival.
Charlotte Perrelli moves to Benidorm!
The biggest surprise comes from the OGAE Spain fan club conference, where the sensational news was confirmed: Charlotte Perrelli, the winner of Eurovision 1999 for Sweden („Take Me to Your Heaven„) and a 2008 participant („Hero„), has submitted a song for Benidorm Fest 2026!
This legendary Swedish star, who has been a permanent resident of Spain for years, is fulfilling her dream of competing for her new home country.
It remains to be seen whether her entry will be among those selected, but her potential presence definitely promises a true spectacle and draws extra attention to the Spanish selection.
Charlotte Perrelli’s performance at Eurovision 1999 in Jerusalem
The „Big Five“ facing a historic decision
The Benidorm festivities will take place in an unusual political climate. The Spanish public broadcaster RTVE has officially decided to boycott and not broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 if Israel participates in the competition.
Spain thus joins a list of countries, including Ireland, the Netherlands, Iceland, and Slovenia, that have announced a potential boycott due to the participation of the Israeli broadcaster in the context of the war in Gaza. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has called an extraordinary General Assembly for November, where a vote will be held on the possible exclusion of the Israeli broadcaster KAN from Eurovision 2026.
Despite this, the Head of the Spanish Delegation, César Vallejo, emphasized that Benidorm Fest 2026 will proceed regardless of RTVE’s final decision about Spain’s participation in Vienna. The winner of the national final will earn the title, but it will be solely the EBU vote in November that determines whether that song gets released onto the European stage.
While awaiting the EBU’s final decision and the announcement of the contestants on October 9, the Spanish Eurovision train is heading irresistibly towards February. Benidorm Fest 2026 appears destined to be the festival highlight of the winter, whether or not it serves as a ticket to the Eurovision Song Contest!
