Lorraine Williamson
If you’re planning a Saturday night in, Spain’s biggest pop TV show of the winter has a simple start time: 10.00 pm tonight (Saturday 14 February). The Benidorm Fest 2026 final goes live from the Palau d’Esports L’Illa in Benidorm, with 12 acts competing for the trophy and a sizeable cash prize.
This year has an extra twist: the festival is trying to hold its own in the spotlight even as Spain has opted out of Eurovision 2026, a decision that has turned Benidorm Fest into more of a stand-alone national event than a direct selection show.
What time does it start, and where can you watch it?
The final begins at 10.00 pm and will be broadcast on La 1, with live streaming on RTVE Play, plus radio coverage via RNE. RTVE expects the show to run into the early hours.
The running order: who performs when?
RTVE has published the performance order for the 12 finalists. It’s a classic Benidorm set-up: pop first, variety through the middle, and a final stretch designed to leave viewers debating favourites.
The running order is:
MAYO, KITAI, ASHA, Dani J, The Quinquis, Izan Llunas, Mikel Herzog Jr., María León ft. Julia Medina, Rosalinda Galán, Kenneth, Miranda! & bailamamá, and Tony Grox & LUCYCALYS.
How does voting work this year?
Benidorm Fest uses a split system: a professional jury and the public side, with a demoscopic panel factored into the public vote. The public can also vote for free via RTVE Play, according to RTVE’s guidance.
That matters because the final often turns on momentum rather than pure streaming numbers. A strong live vocal, a smart staging moment, or a viral clip can shift the result in real time.
What’s at stake if Spain isn’t going to Eurovision?
The prize isn’t symbolic. RTVE says the winner receives the festival trophy and €150,000 in prizes, alongside promotional opportunities. That cash element has helped Benidorm Fest grow beyond a one-night spectacle into a genuine industry platform.
RTVE has also framed the final as a big production moment — a Valentine’s-night showpiece designed to keep the event culturally relevant even without Eurovision’s automatic international hook.
The Saturday-night takeaway
If you want to follow it like a pro, the simplest plan is this: tune in from the start, keep an eye on the mid-show performances where favourites can wobble, and expect a lively public vote. Benidorm has a habit of producing surprises — and tonight’s line-up has enough range to keep the debate going well past midnight.