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Agence France-Presse

Eurovision Song Contest organisers announced rule changes on Wednesday excluding any country in an armed conflict from hosting the competition and increasing the minimum age of competitors.
While they did not mention any country by name, Israel, which has been at war in Gaza since 2023, came close to winning the competition in both 2025 and 2026, ultimately finishing second on each occasion.
Under the old rules, the winning country normally hosts the following year’s competition.
Under the new rules, “the winning broadcaster will automatically be ineligible to host the contest if an armed conflict, a sensitive geopolitical situation, or any other situation materially affects the security, safety or stability of their state or immediate region”, they said in a statement.
In a first, five countries – Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland – boycotted the 2026 edition in Vienna over Israel’s participation.
They said they could not take part alongside Israel because of its war in Gaza.

Martin Green, director of the Eurovision Song Contest, said in a statement that the changes had been guided by feedback from member countries.
He added: “These changes are about giving everyone involved greater clarity, protecting artists and ensuring the contest continues to provide a safe and welcoming environment, while preserving the spirit and integrity that make the Eurovision Song Contest so special.”
In another change, the organisers also announced that competitors must be at least 18, up from 16, on the day of their first rehearsal.
“This change continues the work already undertaken by the contest to strengthen safeguarding and protect younger artists from the pressures associated with competing at the Eurovision Song Contest,” they added in the statement.
Eurovision is a co-production of public broadcasters belonging to the European Broadcasting Union. Since the EBU includes members from outside Europe, the contest is not limited to European countries.

The EBU said it could commission an independent security assessment before deciding whether a winning country is capable of hosting the event safely.
If a winning country is found unable to host the contest, the EBU will appoint another host nation.
Under the new rules, that country will organise the concert “in its own right” and “will not be required to stage the event on behalf of another member”.
Ukraine hosted Eurovision in 2017 despite the conflict in the country’s east between Ukrainian forces and Moscow-backed separatists.
But after Ukraine won the contest in 2022, it was unable to host the following year’s edition because of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Eurovision 2023 was instead held in Liverpool in the United Kingdom on Ukraine’s behalf.


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Music

Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen from Finland perform the song “Liekinheitin” during the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, in May. Photo: AP

Noam Bettan from Israel (centre) reacts as the points are awarded during the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, in May. Photo: AP

Lelek from Croatia performs the song “Andromeda” during the Grand Final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, in May. Photo: AP

Bulgaria’s Dara wins Eurovision contest, beating out Israel for top spot

Dara from Bulgaria holds up the trophy after winning the Eurovision grand final in Vienna. Photo: AP

Noam Bettan from Israel (centre) reacts as the points are awarded during the grand final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria. Photo: AP

Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen from Finland perform the song “Liekinheitin” during the Eurovision grand final. Photo: AP

Israel cleared to stay in Eurovision as several countries boycott contest

A person waves Israel’s national flag while watching Israeli singer Yuval Raphael perform at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest. Photo: AFP

Israel’s 2025 entrant, Yuval Raphael, who is a survivor of Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack. Photo: AP

JJ, representing Austria, winner of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest. Photo: Reuters

Opponents of Israel’s participation in Eurovision cite the war in Gaza, which has left more than 70,000 people dead. Photo: Reuters

Germany slams Israel boycott, Eurovision ‘brings nations together’

This photograph shows the logo of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 displayed on a screen at the end of the dress rehearsal for the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 at the St. Jakobshalle arena in Basel, Switzerland, on May 14. Photo: AFP

Israel’s presence still roils Eurovision a year after major protests over war in Gaza

Singer Yuval Raphael. Israel has competed in Eurovision for more than 50 years and won four times. Photo: AFP

Israeli singer Yuval Raphael on Thursday. Photo: AFP 

Protesters with Palestinian flags in Basel, Switzerland, on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

A pro-Israel demonstrator outside the St Jakobshalle arena. Photo: AFP

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Europe

No country was singled out, but five countries boycotted this year’s competition over Israel’s participation


No country was singled out, but five countries boycotted this year’s competition over Israel’s participation.


Eurovision to bar countries at war from hosting

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}No country was singled out, but five countries boycotted this year’s competition over Israel’s participation

No country was singled out, but five countries boycotted this year’s competition over Israel’s participation