Countries in ‘armed conflict’ barred from hosting Eurovision

Countries in “armed conflict” will no longer be eligible to host the Eurovision song contest, according to new rules introduced by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). The change comes amid ongoing concerns over the safety and neutrality of the event, particularly following recent controversies involving Israel and other nations. Next year’s contest will be hosted by Bulgaria, following its national singer Dara’s victory earlier this year. The decision follows a broader review of the contest’s rules, driven by feedback from participating broadcasters. The EBU emphasized that these modifications aim to enhance clarity for artists and production teams, ensuring the event maintains a “safe and welcoming environment.” This shift marks a significant evolution in how the EBU manages potential risks linked to geopolitical tensions. Recent years have seen heightened scrutiny of Eurovision’s participation policies, especially regarding Israel. Since joining the contest in 1973, Israel has remained a regular participant despite criticism over its actions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In 2024, five long-standing members, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, and Slovenia, boycotted the event in Vienna after organizers refused to exclude Israel over its conduct during the war in Gaza and violence in the West Bank. It is currently unclear whether these countries will return to the contest in future editions. Israel secured second place in the 2024 competition, repeating its position from 2023. The EBU’s director, Martin Green, stated that the rule changes reflect the contest’s continuous adaptation to maintain fairness and transparency. He noted that the updates were guided by input from members and aimed at reinforcing the contest’s integrity while safeguarding participants. Under the revised guidelines, if a winning nation is deemed unsuitable due to involvement in an armed conflict or a sensitive geopolitical situation, an independent security body will assess the feasibility of hosting. If the country is found ineligible, the EBU will assign an alternate host broadcaster to assume all responsibilities related to organizing the event. This ensures that the contest can proceed without being affected by external political pressures. The 2023 contest was held in Liverpool, following Ukraine’s victory the previous year. At that time, the EBU cited Russia’s war in Ukraine as a reason for avoiding a potential host in the region. The new rule changes align with similar considerations, aiming to preemptively address challenges before they arise. Additionally, the EBU has raised the minimum age for performers from 16 to 18, reflecting efforts to standardize eligibility criteria across participating nations. Despite financial and viewership declines, last year’s final was viewed by 130 million people worldwide, compared to 160 million in 2025, the contest is expanding. A separate Eurovision song contest Asia is scheduled to take place in Bangkok in November, marking a new regional initiative. Canada has also been welcomed into the contest, becoming the first new participant since Australia joined in 2015. Participation is not restricted to European countries, as the contest is open to all EBU members, including associate members such as Australia. Canada’s inclusion reflects the growing global appeal of the event and the EBU’s commitment to inclusivity.