This year, despite the shorter period for accepting application forms, Suspilne Ukraine received a remarkable 642 entries for participation in the National Selection for the 2026 Junior Eurovision Song Contest. 621 out of all entries were from individual singers and 21 were from bands. 

The application period for Vidbir lasted from 16th June to 8th July. 

Interesting facts

To participate in the National Selection for the 2026 Junior Eurovision Song Contest candidates had to submit two covers for popular songs and a video introduction. Submitting an original song was not a compulsory requirement, but 47 entrants chose to send in their own compositions. 

In 125 entries, songs from previous years’ Junior Eurovision Song Contests were featured, including those from the Vidbir. For the first time, children are massively choosing songs by participants from past contests, which have already become favourites for many young performers.

Applications were received from Ukraine and nine other countries, including Germany, Ireland, Finland, England and others.

What’s next?

• As a result of the preliminary national selection, a longlist of no more than 15 participants will be formed. On 26th July they will take part in auditions hosted by this year’s partners, the ‘Respublika’ shopping mall and the ‘Neopolis’ entertainment mall. The aim of this is to give the children real-life experience of an international competition.
• Based on the results of the auditions, 10 contestants will be selected to take part in ‘Star School’, which will be held in Bukovel this time.

As a reminder, last year Lou Deleuze from France won the Junior Eurovision Song Contest with the song ‘Ce monde’, but France declined to host the contest, so this year’s Junior Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Malta for the third time. Ukraine’s representative, Sofia Nersesyan, came second last year with the song ‘Motanka’.

Suspilne Kultura and Radio Promin are the official media partners of Eurovision. 

Suspilne Ukraine, a member of the European Broadcasting Union, organises and conducts the selection process for Ukraine’s entry and representative, and ensures Ukraine’s participation in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026.

Suspilne Ukraine is an independent media company with a strong presence across all platforms: the TV channels Pershyi, Suspilne Kultura, Suspilne Sport, and a national network of local channels; the radio stations Ukrainske Radio, Radio Promin, Radio Kultura, Radiotochka. Find only verified news on suspilne.media, as well as on our national and local digital platforms. We broadcast in minority languages, represent Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest, develop the children’s platform Brobaks, and train media professionals through the Public Media Academy. Our Suspilne Mediateka platform offers unique video and audio archives dating from the 1920s to today. Defending freedom in Ukraine.