Organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest have updated their rules, stipulating that a nation involved in an armed conflict will be ineligible to host the following year. The amendment, approved by the contest's governing body, also bars winning countries from hosting if a "sensitive geopolitical situation" impacts the "security, safety or stability of their state or immediate region."
The changes come after feedback from participating broadcasters following the 2026 contest in Vienna. While not explicitly stated, the update has been widely interpreted as a response to Israel's ongoing participation amid criticism of its military actions in Gaza and the Middle East. Last November, five broadcasters, including Spain and Ireland, boycotted the competition following a failed attempt to suspend Israel.
Despite these protests, Israel's representative ultimately secured second place in Eurovision 2026. Some broadcasters had previously expressed private concerns about the potential safety implications of hosting the contest in cities like Jerusalem or Tel Aviv should Israel win.
The new rules will also affect Ukraine, which has been engaged in a protracted conflict since Russia's invasion in 2022. Following Ukraine's victory in 2022, organizers conducted a feasibility study for hosting in Kyiv but determined the security risks were too significant. The United Kingdom subsequently hosted the 2023 contest in Liverpool.
Meanwhile, the host city for the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest has been announced as Burgas, Bulgaria. The selection follows the victory of Bulgarian singer Dara in this year's competition. Burgas is a city located on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast.
