Following its recent presentation, Benidorm Festival 2023 RTVE has released the entry rules for the musical group or solo artist who will follow Chanel and represent Spain at the next Eurovision Song Contest. The announcement arrives as Benidorm readies to host the competition in the Costa Blanca city, signaling another year full of music and culture across the region.
Benidorm is set to stage a trio of galas early next year, turning the Alicante city into a hub of performances and premieres under the festival’s banner. The event will showcase a forward-looking program that uses a contemporary theme to drive the program forward, while a dedicated area will let fans gather to watch the first performances of the new entries.
Mónica Naranjo to host Benidorm Fest 2023 and Nacho Cano to lead the jury
With Chanel Terrero’s slot as the benchmark, artists wondering how to participate should know the path begins with a formal selection process. RTVE has outlined the eligibility criteria and submission requirements in clear terms, and the details below summarize what hopefuls need to know before stepping onto the Benidorm Fest stage.
Countdown to Eurovision 2023: eligibility timing and song requirements
Benidorm Fest participation criteria
Any writer, composer, or performer meeting the listed conditions may compete in this national selection.
- Participants must be at least 16 years old by May 1, 2023, meaning born before May 1, 2007.
- Performers and translators connected to the entry should hold Spanish nationality or permanent residence in Spain; in groups, at least half of the members must satisfy this rule. For writers, at least one contributor must meet the nationality or residency requirement.
- RTVE employees and their immediate relatives, along with people involved in Eurovision or Benidorm Festival production, are ineligible to participate to prevent conflicts of interest.
- Each participant should use an artistic name and preferably have it registered.
- The song cannot be associated with any current contract that prevents public performance, and the artist and author must have clearance for the work by RTVE and the European Broadcasting Union.
- Artists already chosen for other competitions or invited to represent another country at Eurovision 2023 are ineligible.
- Original songs in both lyrics and melody that have not been released or distributed before September 1, 2022 are required.
- The entry must run between two minutes and thirty seconds and three minutes in length.
- The song must include lyrics; instrumental pieces cannot participate, and the language must be Spanish or one of Spain’s official languages. Entries may include sections in languages other than Spanish, provided those sections do not exceed forty percent of the total lyrics.
- Entries containing inappropriate language, political content, brand references, or advertising are not allowed.
- Authors, composers, and publishers must provide written permission for the submission, and participation requires such consent.
- Submissions must be provided as an audio file with vocals in MP3, or as MP4 or Mov video formats.
- Up to six people on stage are permitted, including singers, backing vocalists, and dancers.
- The song must be performed live, without processing that distorts the sound, and accompanied by a pre-recorded instrumental track supplied to RTVE.
- Choirs may be performed live or pre-recorded. If pre-recorded, the choir’s parts cannot include the soloist’s voice on stage.
- Technical staff from participating artists may not use media during rehearsals or live broadcasts; only RTVE technicians may control sound during performances.
- Participants bear all costs related to their entry.
Benidorm’s tribute to music
Those interested in Benidorm Fest 2023 should submit via the official RTVE form. The form will collect essential information, including the following entries and documents.
- Artist data: full name, stage name, number of performers, date of birth, contact details.
- Song title and lyrics in PDF, author details, and first publication date.
- Manager or contact person details, plus any management, record label, or publishing contracts.
- Identification of the person completing the form.
- High-quality artist photos on a neutral background, including at least one horizontal image.
- A publishable bio with links to all social media accounts.
- The model and other documents must be submitted digitally, with sound and melody, ideas, and audio cues for the final arrangement of the song, all under 60 MB.
The submission window opens at 10:00 on September 1, 2022 and closes at 23:59:59 on October 10, 2022, local time.
Additionally, to ensure strong participation, RTVE may directly invite established artists or renowned songwriters to submit proposals for the selection process.