If streaming figures alone decided Benidorm Fest, the Argentine pop duo Miranda! would already be holding the trophy. But the festival’s history shows that live performance and the public’s reaction on the night often count for more than followers.
The festival
Benidorm Fest 2026 takes place from 10 to 14 February in Benidorm, with two semi-finals and a final. This year is unusual: RTVE has withdrawn Spain from the Eurovision Song Contest in protest at Israel’s participation, so for the first time the winner will not go on to represent Spain at Eurovision. The broadcaster has kept the festival as a showcase for new Spanish-language music.
The winner receives a trophy, prize money of €150,000 and opportunities to record and promote new music.
The streaming giants
Miranda!, one of the best-known pop acts in Latin America, arrive with millions of monthly listeners and the most-played entry among the contestants. Their large existing fan base is a clear advantage — but Benidorm Fest has often rewarded artists who connect in the moment over those with established audiences.
The contenders to watch
Kenneth, a young artist from the urban scene, has built a strong following, particularly on TikTok, and his song “Los ojos no mienten” is among the most streamed entries.
Rosalinda Galán combines electronic music with Spanish folk roots in “Mataora”, a theatrical entry whose impact will depend heavily on staging.
Luna Ki returns to the festival after withdrawing from the first edition in 2022, when the rules did not allow the use of autotune as an artistic effect. Her entry, “Bomba de amor”, draws on hyperpop.
The voting
The winner is decided by a combination of professional juries, a demoscopic panel representing the public and televoting. The mix means that streaming success does not guarantee victory.
The question
Without Eurovision on the horizon, the festival faces a test of its own appeal. RTVE hopes it can stand alone as a platform for Spanish-language pop. For the artists, the stage in Benidorm offers national exposure — and the chance to prove that a strong performance can beat the numbers.
