Stricter rules for Eurovision Song Contest: conflict countries barred from hosting

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced on Wednesday that countries involved in armed conflict or situated in a sensitive geopolitical situation will no longer automatically be allowed to host the next edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. This change will take effect from 2027, aiming to ensure the safety of the event.

The EBU clarified that this decision stems from recent discussions surrounding the organization of the festival in countries with security risks. When a country wins, it will no longer be able to host the event in such cases, regardless of the outcome of the competition.

In addition to this significant change, the EBU also announced that the minimum age for participants in the Song Contest will be raised from 16 to 18 years. This adjustment is intended to improve the quality of the participating acts and is a response to developments within the competition.

The adjustment of the rules comes after previous editions, such as in Vienna, raised concerns about the safety and suitability of certain countries to host the festival. The EBU aims to draw a clear line with this and to protect the integrity of the festival.

With these measures, the EBU also hopes to avoid future controversies and set a clear standard regarding the hosting of the Eurovision Song Contest. The adjustments are part of a broader review of the rules surrounding the event.

The EBU will provide further details and guidelines about these new rules in the coming months, including how they will be implemented in practice.