JESC 2026: Songs for the Netherlands' national selection released

While a number of broadcasters are currently selecting their representatives internally, the Netherlands will once again rely on its televised music competition to choose its act for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026. Four acts will compete for the chance to follow in the footsteps of 2025 representative Meadow.

The process to select the Dutch representative began earlier this year, with more than 1600 applications submitted by children aged between 9 and 14 by the end of January.

An internal committee at Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS reviewed the applications, with 68 candidates moving forward to the live auditions. At the Junior Songfestival Academy, they took part in dedicated dance and singing sessions before returning for the final auditions. The 24th edition of the Dutch pre-selection culminated with the announcement of the nine finalists, who were then split into four acts: three solo artists and one six-member group.

The acts competing in Junior Songfestival 2026 are:

Nolan (12) – 'Crush'
(written and composed by Allan Eshuijs and Jiska de Jonge)

 

Maria (9) – 'Stronger Together'
(written and composed by Mell Jonk and Ton Dijkman)

  

Vajèn (13) – 'Here I Am'
(written and composed by Lars Koehoorn)

 

The Crossovers (Benjamin (12), Saige (12), Lay (11), Catelynn (12), Noud (12) and Zoë (12)) – 'Crossovers'
(written and composed by Willem Laseroms)

 

The grand final of Junior Songfestival 2026 will take place on 19 September at RTM Stage Ahoy in Rotterdam. An adult jury, a children's jury and online voting will determine the winner, who will go on to represent the Netherlands at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Ta' Qali, Malta, on 24 October.