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Spain's Chanel with Romania's WRS at Benidorm Fest

Bigger Benidorm Fest to return in 2023

20 July 2022 at 10:51 CEST
Spain's Chanel with Romania's WRS at Benidorm Fest RTVE
At a star-studded press conference on the Mediterranean coast, RTVE announced the return of Benidorm Fest, Spain’s successful and recently rebooted Eurovision national final.

The shows will return in 2023 with the number of participants increased from 14 to 16, owing to the success of the competition earlier this year. 

Benidorm Fest 2023: Schedule
Sunday 29 JanuaryOpening Ceremony
Tuesday 31 JanuaryFirst Semi-Final
Thursday 2 FebruarySecond Semi-Final
Saturday 4 FebruaryGrand Final

Attending the press conference was Chanel, who finished third in Turin securing Spain’s best Eurovision Song Contest result for decades. 

To qualify for Eurovision, the SloMo singer saw off stiff competition from Rigoberta Bandini and Tanxugueiras to win Benidorm Fest 2022 - so expectations are already very high for a similarly competitive year. 

Chanel clutching the Benidorm Fest 2022 trophy triumphantly
Chanel clutching the Benidorm Fest 2022 trophy triumphantly RTVE

It was also revealed that international superstar Mónica Naranjo will have a hosting role, while record producer Nacho Cano will assume the role of Head Judge, overseeing a jury that includes Sweden’s Melfest stalwart Christer Björkman.

President of RTVE, José Manuel Pérez Tornero wants to build on the success of Benidorm Fest 2022: ‘We have drawn international attention with a format that combines values ​​and creativity and promotes solidarity among artists; they have followed it from the oldest to the youngest, we have summoned them outside the social networks in a moment of shared illusion. Music, youth and the future is our best alliance. Long live the values ​​of Eurovision!’

Chanel takes the mic at the Benidorm Fest press conference
Chanel takes to mic at the Benidorm Fest press conference RTVE

The 2022 Benidorm Fest was wildly popular, as a total of 10.7 million viewers watched some of the event in February, and the official hashtag #BenidormFest was the #1 trending topic in Spain for 10 hours and #1 worldwide for 3 hours.

It was also revealed that the voting system will remain the same as this year, with a 50/50 split between televotes and a professional jury. 

Y Viva España!