The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has announced a rule change under which the winning country will no longer automatically host the competition if it is involved in an armed conflict or a sensitive geopolitical situation, with the new rules taking effect in 2027.
The organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest announced on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, a significant rule change that could alter how hosts for this musical spectacle are selected. Under the new regulations, the winning broadcaster will not be able to automatically host the competition if its country is involved in an armed conflict, a sensitive geopolitical situation, or any other circumstance that materially affects the safety, security, or stability of that country or the immediate region.
The change was confirmed by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), an organization that brings together 113 public media organizations in 56 countries. As reported by Corriere della Sera, the new provision takes effect in 2027, when Eurovision will be held in Bulgaria.
Under the new rules, the EBU will be able, if it deems necessary, to engage an independent body to conduct a security assessment in the region of the winning country to determine whether it can safely host the competition. If it is determined that the winner is unable to host, the EBU may appoint an alternative broadcaster to take over the organization.
France Info reports that the alternative host will organize the event "in its own name" and will not be obliged to "stage the event on behalf of another member." This is a significant change from previous practice, where the substitute host often acted on behalf of the winning country.
Although the organizers' statement does not target any specific country, the change comes at a time when Israel, which has been at war in Gaza since the Hamas attack in October 2023, finished second at Eurovision in 2025 and 2026. Due to Israel's military campaign in Gaza, five countries-Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Iceland-boycotted the 2026 competition, marking the first such case in Eurovision history.
Martin Green, the Eurovision director, explained that the changes are aimed at "providing greater clarity for everyone involved, protecting artists, and ensuring the contest continues to provide a safe and enjoyable environment, preserving the spirit and integrity that make the Eurovision Song Contest so special." Green added that the amendments were made based on feedback from participating broadcasters.
The new rules formalize a practice that has already been applied in recent years. When Ukraine won in 2022 with the group Kalush Orchestra, the 2023 contest was not held in Kyiv due to the Russian invasion but in Liverpool, England, in collaboration with Ukrainian state television. On the other hand, Ukraine managed to host Eurovision in Kyiv in 2017 despite the conflict in the east of the country that has been ongoing since 2014 with Moscow-backed separatists.
Eurovision 2026 was held in Vienna, and its logo was unveiled in that city on April 23, 2026, as reported by France Info, citing a photo by AFP photographer Max Herbsta.
