ARCHIVED - Benidorm will once again host the hunt for Spanish Eurovision Song Contest winner in 2023

Benidorm Fest will run between January 29 and February 4 to find Spain's representative

At a glitzy star-studded press conference in Benidorm on Tuesday July 19, Spanish broadcaster RTVE announced plans for the return of Benidorm Fest, Spain’s successful and recently rebooted Eurovision national final.

The event to find a Eurovision Song Contest winner was a huge success earlier this year with victor Chanel going on to finish third in Turin in May 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.

And next year, competition will be even stiffer with the number of participants increased from 14 to 16 hopefuls.

Full details of the event were announced at the special presentation on Benidorm's Paseo de Tamarinos which was kicked off by Chanel and her team of dancers.

Benidorm Fest 2023 will consist of three live televised shows (two semi-finals and a Grand Final). Eight acts will go head-to-head in each of the two semi-finals and the top four acts from each semi-final will go through to the final.

The event will be held as follows:

29/01/ 2023- Benidorm Fest 2023 Opening Ceremony
31/01/2023- Benidorm Fest 2023 Semi-final #1
02/02/2023- Benidorm Fest 2023 Semi-final #2
04/02/2023- Benidorm Fest 2023 Grand Final

RTVE revealed that international superstar Mónica Naranjo will have a hosting role and Spanish musician and record producer Nacho Cano will take the role of head judge, overseeing a jury that includes Sweden’s Melfest stalwart Christer Björkman.

The jury and public voting will be split 50/50 to determine the winner.

President of RTVE, José Manuel Pérez Tornero said he 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. Music, youth and the future is our best alliance. Long live the values ​​of Eurovision!"

Benidorm Mayor, Toni Perez highlighted the "strong commitment" to Benidorm Fest earlier this year "despite the pandemic, attributing the event's success to "the alliance with RTVE and the Valencian government to launch a new brand that has all the essence of internationally recognising what the tourist resort has done for culture and music".

Capacity for the live shows is expected to be bigger next year and tickets will cost between 20 and 30 euros.

Now read: Alicante TRAM is offering free travel to Benidorm attractions with ticket purchases

Image 1: Ayuntamiento de Benidorm

Image 2: RTVE