2026 Spring Festival Gala Unveils Host Lineup, With Liu Xinyue as New Face in Beijing Main Venue

2026 Spring Festival Gala Unveils Host Lineup, With Liu Xinyue as New Face in Beijing Main Venue

The Central China Television (CCTV) Spring Festival Gala, China’s most-watched annual event, revealed its host lineup on February 4, 2026, ahead of the Lunar New Year celebration. The announcement, which included both the Beijing main venue and four sub-venues, has already ignited buzz on Chinese social media, with fans eager to see how the mix of veteran hosts and new talent will shape the iconic show.

Beijing Main Venue: A Return to Six Hosts, With Liu Xinyue as the New Face

The Beijing main venue will be led by six hosts: Ren Luyu, Sa Beining, Nigemaiti, Long Yang, Ma Fanshu, and Liu Xinyue. This marks a return to a six-host lineup, a departure from the five-host format used in recent years. While Ren, Sa, Nigemaiti, Long, and Ma are familiar faces to regular viewers, Liu Xinyue stands out as the event’s newest addition.

"I can’t believe Liu Xinyue is hosting! She’s so talented—can’t wait to see her on stage with the others!" - Weibo user @XiaoyueLovesTV

Liu Xinyue, 39, is a seasoned host with roots in regional television. Born in Jilin Province, she graduated from Zhejiang University of Media and Communications and began her career at Zhejiang TV. In 2012, she joined Liaoning TV, where she quickly became a staple, hosting the Liaoning Spring Festival Gala six times between 2019 and 2024. Her big break came in 2023, when she won the silver medal in the CCTV Host Competition, earning her a spot on the national network. Since then, she’s hosted shows like China Arts and the 2024 Spring Festival Gala’s Liaoning sub-venue.

Liu Xinyue, the new host of the 2026 Spring Festival Gala, poses in a striking red dress during a promotional event.

Sub-Venues: Local Talent Connects with Regional Audiences

The four sub-venues—Harbin (Heilongjiang), Yiwu (Zhejiang), Hefei (Anhui), and Yibin (Sichuan)—will feature a mix of CCTV hosts and local talent, a strategy designed to resonate with regional viewers.

• Harbin: Yang Fan (CCTV) and Jiang Duo (local)
• Yiwu: Guo Ruotian (CCTV) and He Chuan (Zhejiang TV)
• Hefei: Zhu Xun (CCTV) and Bai Yu (local)
• Yibin: Zhang Tao (CCTV) and Wang Chuhan (Sichuan TV)

This approach has been praised by fans, who note that local hosts bring a sense of familiarity and cultural connection to their respective regions. "Seeing a local host in the sub-venue makes the show feel more personal," said Weibo user @JiangnanViewer. "It’s like they’re bringing a piece of home to the national stage."

Ma Fanshu’s Journey: From Choir Member to Host

One of the most talked-about stories from the announcement is Ma Fanshu’s return to the Horse Year Gala. The 2026 event is a "Horse Year" (马年), and Ma, whose surname means "horse" in Chinese, has a unique connection to the occasion. In 2014, she appeared as a member of the China Central Academy of Drama choir during the Horse Year Gala. Twelve years later, she’s back—this time as a host.

A side-by-side comparison of Ma Fanshu in 2014 (top) and 2026 (bottom) highlights her journey from a choir member to a Spring Festival Gala host.

"Ma Fanshu and the Horse Year Gala are meant to be! From a student in 2014 to a host in 2026—what a amazing journey!" - Weibo user @HorseLover2026

What’s Next for the 2026 Spring Festival Gala?

With the host lineup set, fans are now turning their attention to the performances, which are expected to feature a mix of traditional and contemporary acts. The gala, which airs on February 9, 2026 (Lunar New Year’s Eve), is a cornerstone of Chinese New Year celebrations, drawing millions of viewers worldwide.

As the countdown to the big night begins, one thing is clear: the 2026 Spring Festival Gala is poised to blend the comfort of familiar faces with the excitement of new talent, ensuring that the event remains a beloved tradition for generations to come.