¡Venga ya, que nos vamos pa’ Benidorm! Because things have gone full swing at Spain’s national musical event, Benidorm Fest, for its upcoming fifth edition taking place in the Valencian Community beachtown on February 10, 12, & 14. And compared to what we got back in October, and we covered shortly thereafter, we have many updates.
As of two weeks ago, all eighteen competing songs have been made public, and we’ve got updates on the new trophy, semifinal allocation, how many acts there’ll be in the final, and so much more. ¡Así que, vénganse pa’ca!
New Trophy & Hosts
RTVE officially announced last month that Jesús Vázquez, Javier Ambrossi, Inés Hernand, and Lalachus will serve as hosts for the fifth edition of Benidorm Fest, Spain’s flagship music competition, set to take place in Benidorm in February. Jesús Vázquez returns to Spain’s public broadcaster after a long and successful television career, while filmmaker and creator Javier Ambrossi makes his debut as a festival host. Inés Hernand returns as one of the most familiar faces of the event, and Lalachus joins the hosting team after her appearance in La noche del Benidorm Fest. The corporation will reveal further details about the host’s specific roles during a press conference scheduled for January 8.
On 18 December 2025, during a press junket in Madrid, led by RTVE executives María Eizaguirre, Sergio Calderón, and Benidorm Fest director César Vallejo, the network announced that the upcoming edition will introduce a major throwback for fans and music history buffs by reviving and reinterpreting the legendary Sirenita de Oro trophy, formerly awarded at the original Festival Internacional de la Canción de Benidorm.
This change replaces the bronze microphone previously given to winners. It pays homage to the festival’s roots, with gold, silver, and bronze mermaid trophies historically awarded to first, second, and third-place. RTVE’s communications director María Eizaguirre, TVE director Sergio Calderón, and festival director César Vallejo presented the update as part of the event’s fifth anniversary celebration, alongside a €150,000 cash prize for the winner (we’ll touch a bit further on this shortly in this article).
By reinstating the Sirenita de Oro, Benidorm Fest 2026 reconnects the contemporary contest with Spain’s rich musical festival heritage while spotlighting a new generation of artists. The refreshed trophy symbolism reinforces the festival’s significance within the national music calendar, drawing on Benidorm’s historic role in Spanish song competitions and engaging both longtime followers and new audiences. As part of the broader cultural momentum, RTVE emphasizes this edition’s blend of tradition and innovation.
Cash Prizes, International Partnerships & 12 Song Final
Benidorm Fest will now offer substantial financial incentives, starting with this edition, as the festival will award €100,000 to the winning performers and €50,000 to the composers of the victorious song. Beyond the main prize, the festival strengthens its industry ties through a new collaboration with Spotify. The streaming platform will grant a special award to a selected participant—independent of the overall winner—chosen by Spotify’s editorial experts based on musical quality, editorial criteria, and platform data. The recipient will record an exclusive Spotify Single at Spotify’s flagship studio in Stockholm, providing a valuable international production opportunity.
The festival’s international dimension continues to grow through its partnership with TelevisaUnivision. As announced by presenter Alejandra Espinoza (on a pre-recorded message during the press event), one participating artist will receive support to travel to the United States, where they will promote their music and career through the broadcaster’s platforms. During their stay, the selected artists will also have the chance to record a single with a high-profile producer from the Latin music industry. These initiatives reinforce Benidorm Fest 2026’s positioning as a launchpad for Spanish artists seeking global visibility, industry recognition, and long-term career development.
RTVE also revealed other changes set to happen for Benidorm Fest in 2026. One of the most significant updates is the expansion of the grand final lineup, with the number of finalists increasing from eight to twelve. The final will take place on February 14 in Benidorm, following two semifinals whose artist distribution has already been announced. This strategic adjustment aims to give greater visibility to emerging talent and reinforce the festival’s role as a national music showcase.
Now, let’s see the songs and acts competing in each of the Benidorm semifinals this year.
Semifinal 1 – 10 February
These are the 9 acts competing during the first semifinal of Benidorm Fest 2026 on Tuesday, 10 February:
- Dora & Marlon Collins – “Rákata”
- Greg Taro – “Velita”
- Izan Llunas – “¿Qué vas a hacer?”
- Kenneth – “Los Ojos No Mienten”
- KITAI – “El Amor Te Da Miedo”
- Luna Ki – “Bomba de Amor”
- María León ft. Julia Medina – “Las Damas y el Vagabundo”
- Mikel Herzog Jr. – “Mi Mitad”
- Tony Grox & LUCYCALYS – “T Amaré”
Semifinal 2 – 12 February
These are the 9 acts competing during the second semifinal of Benidorm Fest 2026 on Thursday, 12 February:
- ASHA – “Turista”
- Atyat – “Dopamina”
- Dani J – “Bailándote”
- Funambulista – “Sobran Gilip*llas”
- KU Minerva – “No Volveré a Llorar”
- MAYO – “Tócame”
- Miranda! & bailamamá – “Despierto Amándote”
- Rosalinda Galán – “Matora”
- The Quinquis – “Tú No Me Quieres”
If you need a playlist to listen to all competing songs, here’s the official one on Spotify!
Who are you ready to see take the Benidorm stage next month? Let us know!