As the countdown to a major European national stage continues, the Benidorm Fest in Spain stands ready to again select the country’s entry for Eurovision. The event organizers have aligned deadlines and stages to ensure a smooth, inclusive process for artistic teams across the region. The timeline centers on a late January to early February window for showcases, with national broadcasts and decisions that influence Spain’s presence on the Eurovision stage.
Officials announced that applications to participate in the Spanish pre-selection for Eurovision remain open through early October, with the submission portal now accessible on RTVE’s official website. This marks a key moment for artists, writers, and producers seeking to bring their songs and concepts into the spotlight of one of Europe’s most watched music programs.
In a nod to broader creative collaboration, the Benidorm Fest program continues to welcome entries that feature both fully credited performers and songs that may be submitted without a listed interpreter. This open format supports a diverse pool of musical ideas and voices, encouraging fresh takes that could resonate with a wide audience across Spain and beyond.
Parallel to the online submission phase, RTVE plans to extend invitations to well-known artists and prominent writers from the contemporary music scene. The goal is to enrich the selection pool with proposals that reflect current trends and distinctive stylistic approaches, increasing the chances of a compelling national entry.
According to the Benidorm Fest 2023 rules, after the submission period closes RTVE will select up to sixteen participants and can designate up to six substitutes. This framework preserves competitive balance while maintaining opportunities for a broad range of creative voices to assert themselves in the national contest.
The second edition of Benidorm Fest will continue its tradition of high-stakes performances, with semi-finals scheduled for January 31 and February 2, culminating in a grand final on February 4. The events are designed to showcase a spectrum of genres and performative styles, creating an engaging festival experience that captures both juried and public imagination.
A notable change in format is the voting system, which mirrors the approach used in the previous edition. Half of the final result is determined by a professional jury, while the other half is driven by the public. The public portion is split between televotes and a demographic jury, balancing popular voice with representational insight to produce a fair outcome.
On the professional side, the jury roster features esteemed national and international figures. Among the returning members is the chairperson, a respected musician who guides deliberations with expertise. Another prominent figure is a veteran producer who has led major European music competitions for years, bringing extensive experience in scouting, staging, and evaluating contemporary music.