zactrack SMART powers Junior Eurosong The Party 2026

May 6
2 min read

Updated: 5 days ago

For Junior Eurosong The Party 2026, held at the Lotto Arena in Antwerp, Belgium, zactrack SMART was deployed to deliver reliable, real-time tracking for lighting control in a demanding live and broadcast environment.

Junior Eurosong The Party 2026 at the Lotto Arena in Antwerp, with a performer on the catwalk in front of a large orange-framed stage while numerous white and amber beams sweep across the arena. The sold-out live and broadcast production used zactrack SMART for precise real-time performer tracking and automated lighting control across the stage and catwalk — Broadcast-ready stage with a small catwalk and fully integrated zactrack SMART system, delivering real-time performer tracking and dynamic lighting control. Photo: © David Smeets

Junior Eurosong The Party 2026 brought together former Belgian Junior Eurovision artists, combining throwback vibes, live music, and a highly engaged audience, with three sold-out shows in March 2026 and a national TV recording by VRT.

More than a concert, it was a broadcast live event with multi-camera setups, broadcast-ready lighting and sound, and rapid transitions – demanding precision, adaptability, and consistency.

System Configuration for Continuous Movement and Broadcast Requirements

The show featured 22 artists and two presenters, with a mix of solo and group acts, and continuous movement throughout the venue. These dynamics, combined with broadcast requirements, made accurate and reliable tracking and stable follow spotting essential.

To meet these demands, a zactrack SMART system was implemented with eight anchors and 18 active trackers, including dedicated trackers for presenters and flexible allocation for performers.

The stage featured a small catwalk, which led David to deploy four anchors in an asymmetrical configuration around it, with one of the four mounted directly on the right-hand side of the catwalk itself. For the main stage, the four anchors were arranged in a cross-shaped layout relative to the catwalk.

The system was fully integrated into a grandMA3-controlled lighting setup.

Technical stage plan for Junior Eurosong The Party 2026 at the Lotto Arena in Antwerp, showing the main stage, central catwalk, curved scenic elements and the positioning and coverage areas of the zactrack SMART tracking system. Eight anchors were deployed for the production, including an asymmetrical four-anchor arrangement around the catwalk and a cross-shaped configuration covering the main stage. — Overview of the stage and catwalk featuring the asymmetrical layout of eight zactrack SMART anchors (shown in yellow). Photo: © David Smeets

David Smeets (TCF) deploys zactrack for consistent lighting

zactrack SMART enabled precise tracking across all performance areas, smooth transitions, and reliable synchronization with lighting and broadcast workflows.

As David Smeets (TCF), Set Designer and Show Control Operator, explains: “As both set designer and show control operator, the biggest challenge was balancing a complex multi-stage setup with real-world constraints. With a completely sold-out arena, there was no space for traditional follow spots, making zactrack essential. Combined with a one-day schedule for load-in, programming and rehearsals, the system proved fast, reliable and intuitive.”

The production delivered consistent tracking accuracy across all three shows, supported broadcast-ready performance, and contributed to a strong visual impact throughout the event.