The Premios Juventud music awards will take place this Thursday in Marbella, southern Spain, marking the ceremony's first European edition in its 23-year history.
Univision president Nacho Meyer told reporters during a press presentation at a Marbella beach club that the event is much more than a gala, describing it as a long-standing celebration of Latin music and culture.
The awards ceremony will be broadcast live by Univision and Spain's TVE network across 125 countries, reaching a potential audience of close to one billion viewers, Spanish television presenter Jesus Vazquez said during the event presentation.
Vazquez admitted feeling overwhelmed by the massive audience numbers being handled for the broadcast, despite a career in broadcasting that spans nearly 37 years.
Established as one of the major red-carpet events in Spanish-language entertainment, Premios Juventud is produced by Univision, the largest Spanish-language television network in the United States. Previous editions of the gala have been hosted in American cities including Los Angeles, Miami, and Houston, before moving to Panama in 2025.
Global Broadcast and Event Presenters
Vazquez will serve as a main presenter for the gala alongside Mexican actress Alejandra Espinoza and Dominican model Clarissa Molina.
The decision to bring the event to Marbella marks its first staging in Europe. Located on the Costa del Sol in Andalusia, Marbella is an international resort destination renowned for hosting high-profile cultural events. The ceremony is being staged in partnership with Starlite Marbella, an annual boutique music festival held in an open-air quarry amphitheater in the city.
Nominated Artists and Pre-Gala Gathering
Several nominated artists attended the pre-gala presentation in Marbella, including Puerto Rican singer DIA. DIA told news agency EFE that participating was a very beautiful experience, adding that attending as a nominee felt distinctly different from his previous visits as a guest.
The Puerto Rican artist noted that performing and receiving recognition in Spain added to the experience. DIA said he is working hard on an upcoming album expected for release next year, following recent single releases and multiple musical collaborations.
Colombian singer Annasofia, who was nominated for Best New Artist at the previous Latin Grammy Awards, also attended the presentation. She stated her strong commitment to younger audiences and highlighted the social messages she aims to convey through her songs.
Agent of Change Honorees
During the 23rd edition of the awards, actor Antonio Banderas, singer Marc Anthony, urban music artist Yandel, and pop group La Oreja de Van Gogh will receive the Agente de Cambio recognition.
Meyer explained that the honor recognizes prominent figures in film and music for their dedication to younger generations, their support for social causes, and their positive impact on the community.
Banderas, a native of nearby Malaga, is an internationally acclaimed actor and filmmaker known for his extensive charitable work. Salsa icon Marc Anthony, Puerto Rican reggaeton star Yandel, and Spanish pop-rock band La Oreja de Van Gogh represent some of the most prominent acts in Latin music.
Gala Performances and PJ Fest Schedule
The main gala will run for approximately three hours and features around 20 live performances from nominees and invited guest stars. Scheduled performers include Spanish artists Manuel Carrasco, Quevedo, and Ana Mena, Colombian singer Camilo, Puerto Rican artist Wisin, and Mexican singer Angela Aguilar.
The European edition also introduces PJ Fest, a week-long series of activities culminating in the main ceremony and three special concerts produced by TelevisaUnivision from the Starlite Marbella stage.
The concert lineup features Manuel Carrasco performing on Friday, September 4, followed by Wisin and Spanish singer Melendi, who will perform on the Starlite stage on Saturday, September 5.
