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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

Eurovision Bars Countries at War from Hosting

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Eurovision Song Contest organizers have introduced rule changes preventing countries involved in armed conflict from hosting the event.
  • The new rules state that a winning broadcaster in an active conflict or sensitive geopolitical situation will be ineligible to host, with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) able to select another broadcaster.
  • The changes also raise the minimum age for performers to 18 and mandate live lead vocals, aiming to ensure fairness and transparency in the competition.

Eurovision Song Contest organizers have implemented new rules that bar countries engaged in armed conflict from hosting the event. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced the changes, which could impact nations like Israel and Ukraine, both recent successful participants.

Under the revised regulations, a winning broadcaster will be automatically disqualified from hosting if an armed conflict, sensitive geopolitical situation, or other factor compromises the security, safety, or stability of their state or region. The EBU reserves the right to commission independent security assessments and may select an alternative broadcaster if the winning country is deemed unable to stage the contest.

the winning broadcaster will automatically be ineligible to host the Contest if an armed conflict, a sensitive geopolitical situation, or any other situation materially affects the security, safety or stability of their state or immediate region.

— EBUExplaining the new rule that prevents countries in conflict from hosting Eurovision.

While the EBU did not specify any country, the decision follows recent controversies. Several nations boycotted the 2026 contest in Vienna, citing their inability to participate alongside Israel due to the war in Gaza. Israel is currently involved in a conflict with Iran. This rule formalizes a challenge Eurovision has previously navigated; Ukraine, despite hosting in 2017 amidst conflict, was unable to host in 2023 after winning in 2022 due to Russia's invasion, with the United Kingdom hosting on its behalf. Russia has been banned from the contest since 2022.

Beyond hosting eligibility, Eurovision is also raising the minimum performer age from 16 to 18 to protect young artists. Additionally, lead vocals must now be performed live, with no pre-recorded support, ensuring an authentic performance for audiences. Eurovision director Martin Green stated that the rules are reviewed annually to maintain the contest's fairness and transparency. Bulgaria is set to host the next contest following Dara's victory in 2026.

the contest's rules were reviewed each year to keep the competition fair and transparent.

— Martin GreenEurovision director commenting on the annual review of the contest's rules.
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Originally published by Tempo. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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