The European Broadcasting Union announced changes to Eurovision hosting eligibility requirements, stating that broadcasters from countries involved in armed conflicts or sensitive geopolitical situations will no longer be permitted to organize the competition.
The decision followed feedback from participating broadcasters and came after several nations withdrew from this year’s contest over political concerns. Bulgaria is scheduled to host next year’s Eurovision after singer Dara’s victory this past May. Contest director Martin Green stated the modifications aim to enhance clarity for artists and production staff while maintaining a safe atmosphere.
The eligibility rules now require independent security assessments for countries facing potential hosting challenges that fall outside the armed conflict category. If a winning broadcaster is deemed ineligible, the EBU will designate an alternative host rather than requiring another member state to stage the event. This approach mirrors the decision to relocate the 2023 contest to Liverpool after Ukraine’s prior-year win, as the EBU determined insufficient preparation time existed given Russia’s military operations.
Additional rule modifications include raising the minimum artist age from 16 to 18 years old. The EBU also confirmed expansion plans, with a separate Eurovision Asia competition scheduled for Bangkok in November. Canada was announced as the competition’s newest participant, marking the first addition since Australia joined in 2015, with participation open to European Broadcasting Union members regardless of geographic location.
Viewership for this year’s competition reached 130 million spectators globally, down from 160 million the previous year, reflecting impacts from participation changes in recent seasons.
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