Eighteen-year-old Polish accordionist Michał Stochel won the 22nd edition of the Eurovision Young Musicians competition on June 6, 2026, in Yerevan, Armenia. Stochel secured the victory—Poland’s fourth in the event’s history—with his performance of the third movement of Mikołaj Majkusiak’s “Concerto Classico” at the Yerevan Opera Theatre.
How did Michał Stochel secure his victory?
Stochel’s win was determined by a jury of international music experts, including conductor Julien Salemkour, flautist Eduard Belmar, London Symphony Orchestra conductor Roman Simović, and cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan. Jurors evaluated participants based on technical level, sound quality, musicianship, interpretation, and communication, awarding marks from 1 to 10.
Following the performance, Hakhnazaryan praised the young musician, stating, “I believe that Michał played excellently. He was brilliant, artistic and showed a strong, natural sense of rhythm. I am sure that a great future awaits him.” Stochel himself encouraged peers to persist through challenges, noting that success is attainable for those willing to work for their goals.
The Eurovision Young Musicians contest, organized by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) since 1982, features performers aged 12 to 21. Unlike the adult Eurovision Song Contest, the host for this event is selected rather than determined by the previous winner.
What is the history of Polish success in the competition?
Poland maintains a strong record in the contest, ranking second only to Austria in total victories. Prior to Stochel’s 2026 win, Polish musicians claimed the title in 1992, 2000, and 2016. The Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage noted that Stochel is a recent winner of the national “Young Musician of the Year” competition, offering congratulations to both the performer and his instructors at the ZPSM in Przemyśl.
Looking ahead, Marta Cienkowska, the head of the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, announced that Poland will host the competition in two years. Meanwhile, the next edition of the event is scheduled to take place in Liepāja, Latvia.
How does the 2026 competition compare to previous years?
The 2026 edition in Yerevan marked a milestone as the first time Armenia hosted the Eurovision Young Musicians event. Eleven countries competed, accompanied by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Eduard Topchjan. The event featured an interval act titled “A Second, That’s 40 Minutes,” which incorporated symphonic music, ballet, and acrobatics to honor the works of Soviet and Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who won the 2026 Eurovision Young Musicians? Michał Stochel from Poland won the competition in Yerevan.
- Where will the next competition be held? The next edition will take place in Liepāja, Latvia.
- What instruments are played? The contest is dedicated to classical music; this year’s winner performed on the accordion.
- How are the winners chosen? An international jury scores performers from 1 to 10 based on technical skill, sound quality, and interpretation.
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