Spain’s most anticipated national selection show is back. Benidorm Fest 2026 officially opens its song submission process tomorrow, marking the beginning of its fifth edition — and it’s returning with major updates that aim to elevate the competition and further support its artists.
From June 5 at 10:00 a.m. until September 24 at 11:59 p.m., artists, composers, and producers can submit their entries via the official form available on the RTVE website (www.rtve.es/benidormfest/bases2026).
Prize for the Winning Song
One of the most significant changes this year is the introduction of a €150,000 cash prize for the winning entry. €100,000 will go to the performers, and €50,000 to the songwriter(s). In addition, all publishing royalties from the winning song will belong entirely to the author, reinforcing RTVE’s commitment to creators’ rights.
A New Role – Artistic Director
For the first time in its history, Benidorm Fest will appoint a creative director. This industry professional will oversee the visual and stage production of each performance, aiming to bring greater aesthetic and technical cohesion to the festival. While artists can still work with external creative teams, staging will now be a collaborative effort with RTVE’s in-house direction.
Voting System: Demoscopic Jury is back
The voting mechanics remain consistent with previous years, maintaining the 50/50 split between jury and public vote.
25% will come from the televote (phone/SMS and RTVE Play app) 25% from a demoscopic jury, a statistically selected panel of Spanish viewers The remaining 50% will be decided by a professional jury
This structure will apply to both the semifinals and the grand final.
Benidorm Fest 2026 not only reaffirms its role as the gateway to Eurovision, but also continues its evolution as a platform for Spanish music talent to shine both nationally and across Europe.
Let the countdown begin!
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