Broadcasters barred from hosting Eurovision if state involved in ‘armed conflict’

Broadcasters representing nations engaged in armed conflict or facing sensitive geopolitical situations will no longer be eligible to host the Eurovision song contest. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the event's organizer, announced these rule changes for the 2027 contest, citing feedback from participating broadcasters.

The updated regulations are intended to provide greater clarity for artists and production staff, ensuring the contest remains a "safe and welcoming environment." This decision follows recent years where Eurovision has faced protests, notably concerning Israel's participation. Several long-term participating countries, including Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, and Slovenia, boycotted the recent competition after organizers declined to exclude Israel due to its actions in the Gaza conflict and violence in the West Bank.

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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.

Eurovision song contest director Martin Green stated that the annual rule review is crucial for maintaining fairness and transparency. He emphasized that the changes, guided by member feedback, aim to enhance clarity, protect artists, and preserve the contest's spirit and integrity. In situations outside of direct armed conflict, an independent security assessment will determine a country's eligibility to host.

If a winning member country is deemed ineligible, the EBU will select an alternative host broadcaster. This rule change echoes the situation in 2023 when the contest was held in Liverpool because Ukraine, the previous year's winner, could not host due to Russia's war. The EBU cited the impossibility of completing the necessary 12-month preparation period under wartime conditions. Additionally, the minimum age for artists has been raised from 16 to 18.

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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.