Bayside Royalty returns for Season 3 with ₦7m prize ahead of Carnival Calabar 2026

Bayside Band’s reality television show, Bayside Royalty, will return for its third season on November 6, with 20 contestants competing for the titles of Bayside King and Queen and a combined cash prize of ₦7 million.

The competition, executive produced by former First Lady of Cross River State, Mrs Onari Duke, will feature four weeks of challenges, performances and personal development activities ahead of the grand finale scheduled for December 4, 2026.

The third season comes as Cross River State prepares for Carnival Calabar 2026, themed “Rethinking Our Collective Destiny”.

Beyond the competition for the crowns, the programme is designed to expose participants to different aspects of the creative and entertainment industries, including costume design and production, music production, choreography, stage performance and creative interpretation.

The contestants will also participate in activities aimed at testing their creativity, confidence, adaptability, teamwork and ability to engage audiences.

According to the organisers, the programme will provide opportunities for participants to interact with established personalities and professionals in tourism, fashion, entertainment, cultural leadership and event production.

The interactions are expected to broaden their understanding of the creative industry and expose them to potential professional opportunities beyond the reality television competition.

The show will also provide a platform for emerging talents to develop their personal brands and gain visibility through television and digital media exposure.

The season will officially open with an unveiling gala on November 6, followed by a series of competitive activities and performances leading to the December 4 finale.

Under the prize structure, the eventual Bayside King and Queen will each receive ₦2 million, while the five finalists with the highest votes will share a team prize of ₦500,000.

The contestants adjudged Most Creative and Most Social will each receive ₦250,000, while all 20 participants are guaranteed ₦100,000 each.

The organisers said the total cash prize for the season stands at ₦7 million.

Beyond the financial rewards, the winners will also have a prominent role in the 2026 Carnival Calabar celebrations, as the newly crowned King and Queen are expected to lead Bayside Band during the carnival parade on December 28.

Bayside Band is one of the pioneering bands associated with Carnival Calabar, which has become a major cultural and tourism event in Nigeria.

Through Bayside Royalty, the band is extending its activities beyond the annual carnival parade by creating a platform for talent discovery, creative expression and participation in the entertainment industry.

The third season is expected to add to activities surrounding Carnival Calabar 2026, while providing emerging talents with opportunities to develop their skills, build professional relationships and gain exposure within the creative sector.