PBS has announced the three hosts for the Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2026.
Keane Cutajar, Destiny Chunkyere and Gaia Cauchi have been announced as the hosts of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2026. Keane is a television presenter, Destiny Chukunyere won Junior Eurovision 2015 and represented Malta at Eurovision 2020 and 2021, while Gaia Cauchi won Junior Eurovision 2023.
PBS has also revealed that the theme of the 2026 Maltese selection is ‘L-ewwel lejla li ħabbejt’ (You never forget your first). The theme celebrates the power of music to spark a moment and the magic of the Eurovision Song Contest.
18 artists will compete in the Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2026. They are:
Franklin Calleja – “Guide You Home”
Chess Galea – “Shout It Out”
Liston Bongailas – “Mela”
Kurt Anthony – “On the Borderline”
Stefan Gaela – “Pose”
Ema – “Achikuku (Don’t Think About It)”
Kelsey Attard – “Perfectly Broken”
Adria Twins – “Nerġà nqum” (I will rise again)
Kelsie Borg – “Let a Girl Breathe”
Matthew Cilia – “Brutality Mentality”
Matt Blxck – “Ejja lejja ħdejja ‘l hawn (The flute)” (Come to me, come here)
Rhiannon Micallef – “Hold Myself Up”
Mychael Bartolo Chircop – “My Sweet Angel”
Aidan – “Bella” (Beautiful)
Denise – “Trophy”
Nathan Psaila – “Ganador” (Winner)
Mark Anthony Bartolo – “Mumenti sbieħ” (Beautiful moments)
Janice Mangion – “Univers” (Universe)
The participants will be competing in a semi-final on January 15. Through the votes of the jury and of the public, 12 finalists will be chosen to advance to the final show on January 17. The winner(s) will then represent Malta at the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna next May.
Malta was represented by Miriana Conte at Eurovision 2025 with “Serving”. She brought Malta to their first final since 2021. Malta placed 17th in the final, scoring 91 points.
Image Source: PBS | Source: PBS
Malta debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1971 and was represented by Joe Grech and the song “Marija L-Maltija”, which finished last. Malta competed again in 1972 and 1975 but then withdrew until their return in 1991. During the 1990s, Malta only once finished outside of the top 10, and in 1998, they came within just 7 points of victory. It was Chiara who brought the country their 3rd place finish in 1998, and who went on to finish in 2nd at the 2005 contest in Kyiv. The only other artist to finish 2nd for Malta is Ira Losco, who was 12 points away from victory in 2002. They are the longest and most successful participating country to have never won the Eurovision Song Contest.
