Benidorm Fest 2026 to Light Up Spain from February 10–14 with Sergio Jaén as Artistic Director
RTVE has officially announced that Benidorm Fest 2026 will take place from February 10 to 14, promising five days of music, spectacle, and renewed artistic ambition. The announcement came during the RTVE Control Commission in the Congress of Deputies, where José Pablo López, president of the corporation, also unveiled the appointment of Sergio Jaén (Elche, 2001) as the new artistic director of the festival.
This year’s edition not only sets the stage for selecting Spain’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Austria, but also aims to redefine the creative and visual identity of the national selection. With two semi-finals scheduled for February 10 and February 12, and the grand final on February 14, the 2026 edition of Benidorm Fest is expected to be one of the most visually ambitious to date.
Sergio Jaén: A Rising Star in European Staging
At just 24, Sergio Jaén brings with him a bold vision, cinematic flair, and international experience. A graduate in Film and Television from the University of the Arts London and currently based in the UK, Jaén has already made a name for himself as a creative director and set designer. His credits include work on high-profile audiovisual campaigns for Dua Lipa and Puma, highlighting his deep connection to contemporary pop culture and youth aesthetics.
Jaén’s Eurovision journey began in 2024 with Ireland’s entry, Bambie Thug and Doomsday Blue, earning a strong 6th place finish. In 2025, he raised the stakes by directing the artistic visions for Cyprus, Finland, and Austria, with the latter—JJ and Wasted Love—taking victory at Eurovision in Basel. He also left a mark on Junior Eurovision 2024 in Madrid, where he crafted one of the event’s interval acts—his first collaboration with RTVE.
Jaén’s creative process is marked by a sense of urgency and cohesion. In a recent appearance on Conexión Basilea, he revealed that the staging for Wasted Love was developed in just four days, yet it became one of the most praised of the year. His previous remarks—“I would love to participate in Benidorm Fest”—now feel prophetic.
A Bold New Era for Benidorm Fest
His appointment signals RTVE’s commitment to revamping the Benidorm Fest into a festival that rivals Europe’s best in visual innovation and creative identity. Jaén’s cinematic, emotional, and transgressive style will no doubt resonate with younger audiences and loyal Eurofans alike, enhancing both the artistic integrity and the international appeal of Spain’s Eurovision pre-selection.
With Jaén at the creative helm and the February 10–14 schedule set, Benidorm Fest 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark edition—one that will not only select a song, but showcase a vision.
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