EBU Introduces New Eurovision Rules Affecting Israel and Ukraine Hosting Rights

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced new Eurovision regulations on Wednesday, including a rule directly impacting Israel and Ukraine. According to the new policy, countries facing security threats or geopolitical conflicts will lose the automatic right to host the contest the year after winning. This change is a response to ongoing conflicts in Israel and Ukraine. The EBU may commission an independent security assessment of the proposed host country and decide whether it can safely hold the event. If deemed unsafe, the EBU will select an alternative broadcaster to organize Eurovision, assuming full responsibility for the production and event.

Additionally, the minimum age for Eurovision contestants has been raised from 16 to 18 to better protect young artists from the pressures of the competition. The EBU also clarified live singing rules: lead vocalists must perform the main melody live during the broadcast, while backing tracks can be used only within strict limits and cannot replace or excessively support live vocals.

These changes follow last year’s rule adjustments, which many viewed as responses to Israel’s strong showing in the contest. Those included introducing jury voting in both semifinals, limiting public votes to 10 per person (down from 20), and invalidating suspicious voting patterns. Another rule banned unusual third-party promotion, likely addressing controversies over Israeli government-backed online campaigns for contestant Yuval Rafael in 2024.

The next Eurovision will be hosted by Bulgaria, following their win in the 2026 contest held in Vienna. Notably, Canada will make its Eurovision debut in 2027, after the EBU and CBC/Radio-Canada announced their participation earlier this year.