The Eurovision Song Contest has updated its rules, stipulating that a country involved in an armed conflict will be ineligible to host the following year. The amendment, approved by the contest's governing body, also disqualifies potential host nations if a "sensitive geopolitical situation" compromises the "security, safety or stability of their state or immediate region." Organisers said the changes followed feedback from participating broadcasters after the 2026 contest.
The rule update is widely seen as a response to Israel's ongoing participation amid criticism of its military actions in Gaza. In November, five broadcasters, including Ireland and Spain, announced a boycott of the competition after an attempt to suspend Israel failed. Despite these protests, Israel's entry ultimately secured second place.
This development also impacts Ukraine, which has been engaged in a protracted conflict since Russia's 2022 invasion. Following the Ukrainian group Kalush Orchestra's victory in 2022, Eurovision organizers conducted an assessment of hosting in Kyiv. Due to security risks, the UK ultimately stepped in to host the 2023 contest in Liverpool.