Benidorm Fest 2026: RTVE Announces Major Revamp Ahead of Eurovision

Spain is setting its sights firmly on Eurovision 2026, and RTVE is pulling out all the stops with significant structural changes to its national selection—Benidorm Fest. Following a successful run in recent years, the broadcaster has announced a series of reforms aimed at strengthening the festival’s artistic credibility and audience appeal.

RTVE President José Pablo López recently unveiled ambitious plans during a parliamentary commission, promising the introduction of a dedicated Artistic Director for Benidorm Fest 2026. This new role is expected to elevate the quality and professionalism of performances, making sure Spain hits the Eurovision stage stronger than ever.

Committee change

Another key change involves completely revamping the selection committee responsible for choosing participating songs. RTVE aims to diversify and refresh this critical panel, ensuring a broader representation of musical styles and voices, capturing Spain’s vibrant and diverse music scene.

Festival rules are also being revisited and modernised, reflecting RTVE’s commitment to keeping Benidorm Fest relevant and appealing, particularly to younger audiences. This strategy appears well-judged: Benidorm Fest 2025 notably achieved an impressive 34% audience share among viewers aged 13–24, marking it as a standout event in Spain’s cultural calendar.

Securing the future

Further strengthening the festival’s foundations, RTVE will renew its agreement with the Benidorm City Council and the Generalitat Valenciana, securing Benidorm as the host city for another year. This ongoing collaboration underlines the festival’s significant economic and cultural impact on the region.

With these exciting reforms, RTVE clearly signals that Spain isn’t just competing—they’re aiming for victory in Austria next year. Benidorm Fest 2026 promises to be a pivotal moment for Spanish Eurovision ambitions.