Broadcasters will no longer be eligible to host the Eurovision song contest if their state is involved in an “armed conflict” or “sensitive geopolitical situation”.
Eurovision is traditionally hosted by the previous year’s winning broadcaster, with the next show due to take place in Bulgaria in ۲۰۲۷ after singer Dara’s victory for the country in May.
But the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organises Eurovision, said it had changed the rules for ۲۰۲۷ after feedback from participating broadcasters. It said the new rules would provide greater clarity for artists and production staff and ensure the contest provided a “safe and welcoming environment”.
Eurovision has faced protests in recent years over the participation of Israel, a competitor since ۱۹۷۳. Five longtime participants – Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia – boycotted this year’s competition in Vienna after organisers declined to exclude Israel over its conduct in the war against Hamas in Gaza and violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
It is unclear if or when any of the boycotting countries will rejoin the contest. Israel claimed second place in this year’s competition, as it did in ۲۰۲۵.
Eurovision song contest director Martin Green said: “The Eurovision song contest is constantly evolving, and our annual review of the rules is an important part of making sure the contest remains fair, transparent and consistent for all those who participate, including the millions who engage with the event globally.
“Guided, as always, by feedback from our members, we have clarified and strengthened several areas for ۲۰۲۷. These changes are about giving everyone involved greater clarity, protecting artists and ensuring the contest continues to provide a safe and welcoming environment, while preserving the spirit and integrity that make the Eurovision song contest so special.”
In potentially difficult situations outside armed conflict, the winning country will be assessed by an independent security body to help the EBU determine whether or not they could safely host.
If the winning member is ruled ineligible, the EBU will identify an alternative host broadcaster to “assume all rights, obligations and liabilities associated with hosting the contest”, and will not be required to stage the event on behalf of another member.
The ۲۰۲۳ Eurovision song contest was held in Liverpool after Ukraine’s win the previous year. At the time, the EBU said Russia’s war made it impossible to begin the ۱۲ months of preparation needed to organise the show.
The new rule changes also increase the minimum age for artists from ۱۶ to ۱۸.
According to organisers, the ۲۰۲۶ Eurovision final was watched by ۱۳۰ million viewers around the world, down from ۱۶۰ million in ۲۰۲۵.
Despite the blows to Eurovision’s finances and viewership from the boycott, the contest is set for expansion, with a spin-off Eurovision song contest Asia due to take place in Bangkok in November.
Last month, it was announced that Canada will join the contest, becoming the first new participant since Australia in ۲۰۱۵.
Participation is not limited to countries in geographic Europe and instead is open to all members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which Canada recently joined. Australia is an associate member.
