The Goya Awards, the annual gala where the Spanish Film Academy recognizes the best of the national seventh art, will be held this Saturday, February 28, 2026 in Barcelona. This is a historic occasion: the 40th edition, consolidating four decades of awards given uninterruptedly since 1987.
Following the tradition of decentralization that began in 2019, the ceremony leaves Madrid for another year to move to the Catalan coast, specifically to the Forum CCIB Auditorium in Barcelona, after having recently passed through cities such as Valladolid or Granada.
When and where to see the Goya gala and red carpet
From 7:00 p.m., EL PAÍS Vídeo will offer the broadcast with the red carpet and EL PAÍS will reveal the ins and outs and keys that will mark this year’s ceremony. In addition, RTVE’s La 1 will broadcast the gala live. The ceremony will begin around 10:00 p.m. and will last approximately three and a half hours.
Performances at the 40th Goya Awards
The Film Academy has confirmed that the 40th edition of the Goya Awards will be a true celebration of current musical talent. The stage will vibrate with performances by Bad Gyal, Ana Mena, Belén Aguilera, Dani Fernández, La Casa Azul, Alba Molina and Ángeles Toledano. In addition, the master of ceremonies herself, Rigoberta Bandini, will offer a special number in a gala marked by a strong presence of Catalan artists. Bandini (Paula Ribó) thus consolidates her love affair with awards after winning the Goya in 2024 and her applauded version of ‘El amor’ in the last edition.
Presenters of the Goya 2026
Luis Tosar and Rigoberta Bandini will be in charge of hosting the 40th Goya Awards gala. Fernando Méndez-Leite, president of the Academy, highlighted in a ceremony that both face their role in the ceremony with “excitement” and “sense of responsibility”, as well as the “honor” of assuming this challenge together, to which they trust to contribute their personal stamp.
Tosar is one of the most decisive actors in Spanish cinema, he is recognized for his versatility and for playing roles of great dramatic intensity. Among his most representative films are Cell 211 (2009), I give you my eyes (2003), while you sleep (2011) y The unknown (2015). Throughout his career he has won three Goyas: for best supporting actor for Mondays in the sun (2003) and as best leading actor for I give you my eyes (2004) y Cell 211 (2010). Bandini, Catalan singer, songwriter, dubbing actress and playwright, won the Goya for best original song in 2024 for her song ‘I only want love’, composed for the film I’m loving you madly.
Goya Awards: who delivers the ‘big heads’?
Although the exact list by category is kept under lock and key until the last moment, the Academy has confirmed the participation of more than 60 big names in culture and sport. Actors and actresses such as Eduard Fernández, Laia Costa, Anna Castillo, Miki Esparbé, Rossy de Palma, Victoria Luengo, Irene Escolar, Paco León and Carlos Cuevas, and directors such as JA Bayona, Rodrigo Sorogoyen, Leticia Dolera and Carla Simón. Soccer player Alexia Putellas will also take the stage to present one of the awards.
Goya International and Goya of Honor
The Academy will present the International Goya to actress Susan Sarandon (New York, 79 years old) for her “extraordinary filmography, with unforgettable performances in masterpieces that are part of popular culture” such as The Craving, Death Penalty, Rocky Horror Picture Show or Thelma and Louise.
This edition’s Goya of Honor will be awarded to filmmaker, writer and journalist Gonzalo Suárez for his career, which encompasses cinema, literature and journalism. Among his most notable films are ‘The Regent’ (1974), ‘Rowing in the Wind’ (1988) or ‘Don Juan in Hell’ (1991).
How much money does the winner of a Goya receive?
The winners of the Goya Awards do not receive any amount of cash, since it is an honorary recognition without a financial award. The award – popularly known as the “cabezón” – is an artistic piece of great symbolic value that has been found in resale markets such as Wallapop, where it has been valued at around 12,000 euros or replicas starting at 12 euros. The Goya rules clearly establish that recognition does not entail financial compensation or cash amounts.