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Wednesday, 12 August 2026

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Eurovision Song Contest adjusts rules following discussion on Israel

The EBU has approved new rules stating that a country in conflict cannot automatically host the next edition of the Eurovision Song Contest.

Eurovision Song Contest adjusts rules following discussion on Israel
Photo: Emmanuel Dyan · Openverse · BY

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has established new rules for the Eurovision Song Contest. These rules state that a country experiencing armed conflict, or in a sensitive geopolitical situation, cannot automatically host the next edition of the song contest, even if it wins. This adjustment follows discussions about Israel's participation in the competition.

According to the EBU, security issues, geopolitical tensions, or other factors may render a country ineligible to host. This decision has been made after extensive debate on the conditions under which countries may participate in the contest and the responsibilities that come with it.

The rules aim to ensure that the organization of the Eurovision Song Contest is not jeopardized by external conflicts or safety concerns. The EBU is committed to providing a safe environment for all participants and visitors to the event.

Eurovision Song Contest adjusts rules following discussion on Israel
Photo: Dr. Zachi Evenor · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

The adjustment of the rules reflects the EBU's growing commitment to protecting the integrity of the festival and responding to current global events. This will result in greater attention being paid to the political situation in participating countries.

In the future, the EBU will consider the social and political context of a country that wins the festival when assigning the hosting role, marking a significant change in the organization of this popular international contest.