The Premios Juventud 2026 ceremony brought together some of the biggest names in Latin music for an international celebration at Starlite Marbella in Spain on September 3, 2026. The 23rd annual event marked a historic first for the awards, moving to Europe after years of celebrations across the Americas. Shakira, Bad Bunny, Karol G, Aitana, Alejandro Fernández, Romeo Santos, and Prince Royce were among the leading winners of the evening.
Organized by TelevisaUnivision, the ceremony recognized achievements across 50 categories, with 338 nominated artists competing for awards. The program celebrated Latin pop, reggaeton, regional Mexican music, tropical sounds, television, streaming entertainment, and digital creativity. Its international lineup also demonstrated how Spanish-language entertainment continues to connect audiences across the United States, Latin America, and Europe.
Beyond the award announcements, the evening featured live performances, special tributes, and recognition for influential cultural figures. The accompanying PJ Fest program also brought musical activities to Miami, Houston, and Los Angeles, creating a wider celebration around the main event.
Marbella Becomes the Center of International Latin Entertainment
The decision to host the ceremony in Marbella represented a significant development for the annual awards.
Starlite Marbella provided the setting for the September 3 celebration, bringing together artists from different countries and musical backgrounds. The location marked the first time the awards had been presented in Europe.
For TelevisaUnivision, the move created an opportunity to connect Latin American entertainment with Spanish audiences. It also highlighted the international reach of Spanish-language music.
Previous editions had established strong connections with cities across the Americas. The European location introduced a different atmosphere while preserving the awards’ focus on popular music and youth culture.
Spain’s participation was particularly important because its entertainment industry has become closely connected with Latin American performers.
Spanish singers, television personalities, and digital creators appeared alongside established international artists. This combination gave the ceremony a distinctly international character.
The 2026 edition also featured 50 categories, allowing the organizers to recognize achievements across several areas of popular culture.
Shakira Delivers a Three-Award Performance
Shakira was among the leading winners of the night, collecting three trophies across major categories.
The Colombian superstar won Female Premios Juventud Artist, recognizing her influence and popularity within Spanish-language music.
She also received Best Pop Song for “Bésame,” her collaboration with Alejandro Sanz. The track brought together two internationally recognized performers and became one of the ceremony’s notable musical victories.
Her third award came through the OMG Collaboration category for “Dai Dai,” featuring Burna Boy.
These victories reflected Shakira’s continued presence in the international music industry. Her career has connected Latin pop with audiences across several generations.
Her recognition was also important for the ceremony’s international identity. Shakira remains one of the most recognizable Colombian artists worldwide, with a substantial audience in the United States.
Aitana Strengthens Spain’s Presence With Three Awards
Spanish singer Aitana also finished the evening with three trophies.
Her song “Superestrella” won Best Euro-Song, while her album Cuarto Azul received Best Pop Album.
She also won Couple Goals alongside Plex.
The results made Aitana one of the most successful performers at the Marbella ceremony.
Her achievements were especially relevant because the event took place in Spain. They demonstrated how Spanish artists are becoming an increasingly important part of the international Spanish-language music market.
The recognition also placed contemporary Spanish pop alongside established Latin American genres.
Aitana’s three victories were among the clearest examples of the ceremony’s international approach.
Bad Bunny Wins Male Artist and Best Tour
Bad Bunny secured two major awards during the evening.
The Puerto Rican performer won Male Premios Juventud Artist and Best Tour for the Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour.
His recognition highlighted his continued influence on reggaeton, Latin trap, and contemporary urban music.
Bad Bunny has developed a global audience through Spanish-language releases, international collaborations, and major live performances.
The Best Tour victory also emphasized the importance of touring in the modern music industry.
Concert productions have become an important part of how major performers connect with fans. International tours help artists reach audiences beyond streaming platforms and traditional radio.
Bad Bunny’s two victories placed him among the ceremony’s most prominent award recipients.
Karol G Takes Album of the Year
Karol G secured Album of the Year for Tropicoqueta, one of the most important awards presented during the ceremony.
The victory recognized her album among a competitive group of releases from established Latin performers.
She also received Best Urban Rhythmic Song for “Verano Rosa,” her collaboration with Feid.
The two awards highlighted the strength of her music and the popularity of collaborative releases.
Karol G has developed a major international following through reggaeton, Latin pop, and contemporary urban music.
Her success also reinforced the importance of female performers in an industry that continues to attract audiences across multiple countries.
Alejandro Fernández Also Becomes a Major Winner
Alejandro Fernández was another major success story at the ceremony.
The Mexican singer collected three awards, placing him alongside several of the evening’s leading individual winners.
His collaboration with Carín León, “Me Está Doliendo,” received Mi Track Favorito.
He also won Best Pop Ballad Song for “Sin Despedida,” featuring Carlos Rivera.
His third victory came through “El Rey,” featuring Vicente Fernández, in the Best Mexican Music Banda Song category.
The recognition celebrated his continued contribution to Mexican music and his ability to connect traditional musical influences with contemporary audiences.
His achievements also demonstrated the importance of regional Mexican music within an international awards program.
Romeo Santos and Prince Royce Lead the Tropical Music Results
Romeo Santos and Prince Royce secured three awards through their musical projects.
Their album Better Late Than Never won Best Tropical Album.
Their collaboration “Lokita por mí” received Tropical Mix, while “Dardos” secured Tropical Hit.
The results highlighted the continued popularity of bachata and tropical music.
Both artists have built substantial audiences across the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America.
Their collaboration also demonstrated how established performers can bring different musical identities together while maintaining strong connections with their audiences.
The three awards made the duo one of the most successful musical partnerships of the evening.
Complete Overview of Important Award Winners
The ceremony recognized performers across several musical genres and entertainment categories.
| Award category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Female Premios Juventud Artist | Shakira |
| Male Premios Juventud Artist | Bad Bunny |
| Album of the Year | Karol G – Tropicoqueta |
| Best Pop Song | Alejandro Sanz and Shakira – “Bésame” |
| Best Pop/Urban Song | Maluma – “Bronceador” |
| Best Pop Album | Aitana – Cuarto Azul |
| Best Euro-Song | Aitana – “Superestrella” |
| Best Tour | Bad Bunny |
| Best Tropical Album | Romeo Santos and Prince Royce |
| Tropical Mix | Romeo Santos and Prince Royce – “Lokita por mí” |
| Tropical Hit | Romeo Santos and Prince Royce – “Dardos” |
| Best Mexican Music Album | Carín León – Palabra de to’s (seca) |
| Best Mexican Norteño Song | Calibre 50 – “Me enamoré solo” |
| Best Mexican Mariachi Song | Camila Fernández – “Retumbando en el cora” |
| Best Urban Album | Young Miko – Do Not Disturb |
| Best Urban Rhythmic Song | Karol G and Feid – “Verano Rosa” |
| Best Producer | Bizarrap |
| Best Mexican Music Fusion | Xavi and Grupo Frontera |
| Favorite Group or Duo | Santos Bravos |
| New Generation Female Artist | Aria Vega |
| New Generation Male Artist | Santos Bravos |
| New Generation Mexican Music Artist | Omar Camacho |
The results reflected the diversity of contemporary Latin entertainment. Established performers shared recognition with newer acts, while several genres received attention throughout the evening.
Regional Mexican Music Remains an Important Part of the Awards
Regional Mexican music received recognition through several categories.
Carín León won Best Mexican Music Album for Palabra de to’s (seca).
His victory reflected the popularity of contemporary regional Mexican music among audiences in Mexico and the United States.
Calibre 50 won Best Mexican Norteño Song for “Me enamoré solo.”
Camila Fernández received Best Mexican Mariachi Song for “Retumbando en el cora.”
Xavi and Grupo Frontera also secured Best Mexican Music Fusion for their collaboration “No Capea.”
These victories highlighted different musical traditions within the regional Mexican category.
Norteño, mariachi, and modern collaborations all received attention during the ceremony.
The results also reflected the continued influence of Mexican performers in the broader Latin music market.
Young Miko Receives Recognition for Urban Music
Young Miko won Best Urban Album for Do Not Disturb.
The award recognized her contribution to contemporary urban music and placed her among the notable winners of the ceremony.
The category featured several established performers, demonstrating the competitive nature of the Latin urban music industry.
Young Miko’s recognition also highlighted the growing visibility of female artists within reggaeton and urban music.
Her international audience continues to connect with her musical style and collaborations.
The victory represented another important moment for emerging female talent.
Santos Bravos Makes an Impression With Two Awards
Santos Bravos was among the emerging groups that attracted considerable attention.
The act won Favorite Group or Duo and New Generation Male Artist.
The double victory represented an important achievement for the group.
Its recognition reflected the changing nature of Latin entertainment, where newer performers can develop international audiences through streaming, social media, and digital fan communities.
The group’s success also demonstrated the importance of categories that recognize emerging talent alongside established stars.
Digital Creators and Television Personalities Receive Recognition
The awards were not limited to singers and musical groups.
Television personalities, online creators, and other entertainment figures also received recognition.
Angelique Boyer won Favorite Actress for her work in Doménica Montero.
Gabriel Soto received Favorite Actor for Monteverde.
Angelique Boyer and Marcus Ornellas also won the Me Enamoran category for their on-screen pairing.
Digital entertainment featured prominently through several categories.
Stefanny Loaiza received Creator of the Year, while Lola Lolita won Creator de España.
Mercedes Roa secured Soccer POV, and Jenny Solares received Best LOL.
The inclusion of these awards reflected the growing influence of online creators.
Younger audiences increasingly follow personalities through social platforms, video channels, podcasts, and streaming services.
Recognizing these figures allowed the ceremony to represent a wider section of contemporary entertainment.
Live Performances Bring Multiple Musical Generations Together
The musical program was another important feature of the Marbella celebration.
Artists from Latin America and Spain performed throughout the evening, representing different generations and musical styles.
The lineup included Camilo, Ángela Aguilar, Christian Nodal, Marc Anthony, Wisin, Yandel, Morat, Farruko, Greeicy, Manuel Carrasco, Ana Mena, Quevedo, and other performers.
Camilo presented “Árbol,” offering audiences a look at his musical work associated with Para Cuando Sean Mayores.
Ángela Aguilar performed an interpretation of “Cielito Lindo,” connecting the ceremony with Mexican musical heritage.
Yandel delivered a distinctive presentation with a symphonic orchestra. His performance included “DND” and “Cuál Es La Necesidad.”
Marc Anthony also appeared during the celebration, bringing his experience in tropical and salsa music to the international stage.
The diverse lineup helped create a program that connected traditional Latin sounds with contemporary pop and urban music.
Agentes de Cambio Awards Highlight Cultural Contributions
The Agentes de Cambio recognition celebrated individuals and groups whose influence extends beyond entertainment.
Antonio Banderas, Marc Anthony, Yandel, and La Oreja de Van Gogh received the distinction.
Antonio Banderas was recognized for his cultural influence and contributions to entertainment.
Marc Anthony received recognition for his impact on Latin music and his wider contributions.
Yandel was honored for his influence on reggaeton and the development of Latin urban music.
La Oreja de Van Gogh received recognition for its cultural contribution and longstanding connection with audiences.
These honors added another dimension to the awards, celebrating cultural influence alongside commercial and artistic achievements.
PJ Fest Creates a Wider Entertainment Experience
The 2026 celebration included more than the main awards presentation.
PJ Fest brought concerts, music sessions, and additional entertainment activities to Miami, Houston, and Los Angeles.
The program began with the BRESH Pre-Party in Miami on August 29.
BMF Fest followed in Houston on August 30.
Additional music activities took place in Miami and Los Angeles before the main ceremony.
Jay Wheeler participated in a special Privado session in Miami, while Piso 21 took part in a Los Angeles session.
Morat also participated in ViX Música Sessions on September 2.
The program concluded with the main ceremony in Marbella on September 3.
This approach gave fans opportunities to experience the celebration through different musical events rather than a single television broadcast.
Television and Digital Engagement Reach Impressive Levels
The ceremony delivered strong results across television and digital platforms.
TelevisaUnivision reported that the combined PJ Fest and awards celebration generated 673 million cross-platform engagements.
The figure represented a 49% increase compared with the previous year.
The reported global television audience reached 10 million viewers across the United States, Mexico, and Spain.
The U.S. broadcast attracted 4.3 million viewers through Univision, UNIMÁS, Galavisión, and ViX.
Digital video views reached 635 million, an increase of 23% year over year.
The broadcast also reached audiences in more than 150 countries.
These results highlighted the international demand for Latin entertainment.
Digital platforms played an important role in extending the event’s reach through performance clips, interviews, red-carpet videos, and social media discussions.
Where Can American Viewers Find the Ceremony Highlights?
U.S. viewers can explore available coverage through Univision and ViX.
The event also received television coverage through UNIMÁS and Galavisión.
Official digital channels offer selected performances, interviews, and memorable moments from the ceremony.
The availability of full recordings can vary by platform and region.
For viewers interested in individual artists, official performance clips provide an opportunity to revisit some of the evening’s most memorable appearances.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 Awards
1. When did the ceremony take place?
The ceremony took place on September 3, 2026, at Starlite Marbella in Spain.
2. Where was the event held?
It was held in Marbella, Andalusia. The 2026 edition marked the first time the awards took place in Europe.
3. Who won Female Premios Juventud Artist?
Shakira received the Female Premios Juventud Artist award.
4. Who won Male Premios Juventud Artist?
Bad Bunny received the Male Premios Juventud Artist award.
5. Which album won Album of the Year?
Karol G won for Tropicoqueta.
6. Who collected three awards?
Shakira, Aitana, Alejandro Fernández, and Romeo Santos and Prince Royce were among the major three-award winners.
7. Who won Best Tour?
Bad Bunny won for the Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour.
8. Which song won Best Pop Song?
“Bésame,” performed by Alejandro Sanz and Shakira, received the award.
9. Who won Best Tropical Album?
Romeo Santos and Prince Royce won for Better Late Than Never.
10. How many categories were included?
The ceremony featured 50 award categories.
11. How many artists were nominated?
There were 338 nominated artists.
12. Who received the Agentes de Cambio recognition?
Antonio Banderas, Marc Anthony, Yandel, and La Oreja de Van Gogh were among the recipients.
13. Who hosted the ceremony?
Jesús Vázquez, Alejandra Espinoza, and Clarissa Molina presented the event.
14. How successful was the international broadcast?
The global television audience reached 10 million viewers, while the event generated 673 million cross-platform engagements.
15. Where can viewers find the highlights?
Available coverage can be explored through Univision, ViX, and official digital entertainment platforms.
Final Thoughts
The Marbella ceremony marked a major moment for international Latin entertainment. Its European location, diverse award categories, and impressive television and digital results demonstrated the influence of Spanish-language music across different markets.
Shakira, Bad Bunny, Karol G, Aitana, Alejandro Fernández, Romeo Santos, and Prince Royce were among the biggest names celebrated during the evening. Emerging performers and digital creators also received recognition, reflecting the changing interests of younger audiences.
With its combination of established superstars, new talent, live performances, and cultural honors, the event highlighted the continuing international popularity of Latin music.
Which artist or musical performance stood out to you most? Share your favorite moment and join the conversation about Latin entertainment.