San Marino has its eyes on a big prize: hosting Junior Eurovision 2026. The microstate has confirmed that it’s officially willing to bring the contest to its territory, following a new three-year agreement between San Marino RTV, the Ministry of Tourism, and Media Evolution.
For a country of just over 30,000 people, San Marino has long punched above its weight on the Eurovision stage. Now, after 16 years of involvement with EBU events, they’re positioning themselves as a serious contender to welcome the junior version of the show.
But first — all eyes are on Tbilisi 2025. San Marino RTV has confirmed its participation, and the nation will be represented by Martina CRV, a 12-year-old singer ready to shine with her song “Beyond the Stars”. The contest takes place on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the Olympic Palace in Georgia’s capital.
Assistant Head of Delegation Ersin Palak shared San Marino’s excitement, saying:
“Each year, being present in a different host country across Europe, San Marino is eager to win and is ready to host a future edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in its homeland. From large theatres to sports facilities, San Marino offers a wide range of options capable of hosting an event of this kind.”
Alongside Junior Eurovision, San Marino is also refreshing its Eurovision strategy for the adult contest. The San Marino Song Contest will return with a new format in 2026, featuring two live semifinals and a live final broadcast on San Marino RTV. The winner will go on to represent the republic at Eurovision 2026 in Austria.
The shake-up also brings familiar faces. Denny Montesi, sole director of Media Evolution, will serve as Head of Delegation, while fan favourite Valentina Monetta — who has represented San Marino at Eurovision four times — steps in as Ambassador. She’ll support the delegation artistically and promote San Marino’s cultural talent abroad.
Between Martina’s JESC debut, a rebranded national selection, and ambitions to host Junior Eurovision itself, San Marino is proving that small countries can dream big on the Eurovision stage.
