Armenia is set to host Eurovision Young Musicians for the very first time, as the 22nd edition of the prestigious classical music competition takes place in Yerevan on Saturday 6 June.
Organised by Armenian broadcaster AMPTV, the event will bring together 11 talented young musicians from across Europe at the Armenian National Opera and Ballet Theatre.
The contestants will perform in front of an international expert jury chaired by renowned violinist Roman Simovic. Alongside the trophy, the winner will also receive an invitation to perform with the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra during the 2026–2027 concert season.
The live show is scheduled to begin at 18:00 CEST, although some participating broadcasters may air the competition at a later date or time. Contestants will be judged on technical accuracy, tone and sound quality, musicality, interpretation, performance and communication.
The competing musicians for Eurovision Young Musicians 2026 are:
Portugal returns to the competition for the first time since 2014, while Cyprus and Latvia also make their comeback after years away from the contest.
Launched in 1982, Eurovision Young Musicians showcases classical performers aged between 12 and 21, offering them an international platform to present their talent. Over the years, the competition has helped launch the careers of internationally acclaimed artists such as Julian Rachlin, Julia Fischer and Natalie Clein.
The previous edition was held in Bodø, Norway, in 2024, where Austrian violinist Leonhard Baumgartner claimed victory with a performance of Vieuxtemps’ Violin Concerto No. 5, extending Austria’s record to six wins in the competition.
Historically, the violin has been the most successful instrument in Eurovision Young Musicians, accounting for ten victories. Yerevan 2026 will also mark a historic first for the contest, with the marimba appearing for the very first time, represented by Belgium and Latvia.
