Eurovision Bars Warring Nations From Hosting Contest
Eurovision Bars Warring Nations From Hosting Contest
The News
Eurovision organizers have changed the rules to bar any winning country from hosting the next contest if it is involved in an armed conflict or a destabilizing geopolitical situation.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced the change Tuesday, following broadcaster feedback after the 2026 contest in Vienna.
The move follows a push by several nations to have Israel banned, and coverage widely reads the new rule as aimed at Israel and Ukraine.
Timeline
Ukraine won Eurovision, but Russia's invasion made hosting in Kyiv a security risk.
The contest was moved to Liverpool, England, in place of Ukraine.
Five broadcasters — including Spain and Ireland — boycotted the Vienna contest over Israel's participation. Israel's Noam Bettan finished second, the country's second straight runner-up result.
The EBU confirmed that winning broadcasters engaged in armed conflict will be barred from hosting, and raised the minimum contestant age from 16 to 18.
Reactions
Eurovision director Martin Green said the changes are meant to protect artists and the integrity of the contest.
The Times of Israel framed the rule as effectively targeting Israel, noting the country came in second this year and last and could have been in line to host.
Broadcasters had privately raised safety concerns about staging the event in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv if Israel were to win.
What's Next
The EBU keeps the discretion to allow a conflict-affected winner to host if it is satisfied that safety and security can be guaranteed.
The 2027 contest will be held in Bulgaria, with the host city and final dates due to be announced Thursday.
Open questions: whether the EBU would invoke its safety exception to let Israel host if it wins in 2027, and whether the five boycotting broadcasters return under the new rules.
More
The rule applies equally to Ukraine, which has been at war since Russia's 2022 invasion.
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