Eurovision tightens rules: Countries in a state of war should no longer host the contest

ESC Director Martin Green stated in an official statement by the organization: "Der Eurovision Song Contest entwickelt sich stetig weiter, und unsere jährliche Überprüfung der Regeln ist ein wichtiger Bestandteil, um sicherzustellen, dass der Wettbewerb für alle Teilnehmenden, einschließlich der Millionen von Menschen weltweit, fair, transparent und einheitlich bleibt." Green linked the adjustment to the stated goal of ensuring a "safe and welcoming environment" – a phrase that appears repeatedly in the communication.

Background: Involvement in the Iran war as the trigger

With the new rule, the EBU is taking a stronger position than before on geopolitical issues surrounding the hosting of the contest. Although the final hosting of the upcoming ESC had already been planned in another European country, the EBU is now also enshrining the rule for future cycles. A retroactive application to ongoing procedures is not envisaged, according to sources within the organization.

Beyond the current occasion, observers see the rule as a signal to other states, particularly in Eastern Europe or along geopolitical fault lines. The EBU deliberately formulates its criteria in abstract terms: according to this, what matters is whether a country is engaged in an active armed conflict, and whether an ESC could be organized and held securely in that country. An automatic exclusion from participation in the contest is not connected with the rule, according to the EBU.

The final version of the regulation refers to a standardized review by an internal EBU body. This body is to carry out an assessment before each awarding of hosting rights and take into account criteria such as the security situation, logistical capacity, and the independence of the local broadcasters. At the same time, the EBU emphasizes that artistic and musical aspects would continue to take precedence.

Criteria and review by the EBU

Industry services assess the decision as the most far-reaching intervention by the EBU in ESC hosting practices to date. In recent years, the organization had repeatedly insisted on political neutrality and rejected discussions about boycotts or political statements by participants. With the new rule, this course is shifting: political reality is explicitly named as a factor, without this being understood as a political judgment, according to the EBU.

The EBU announced that the new provision would be incorporated into the next edition of the official rulebook and explained in detail to member organizations in the coming weeks. At the same time, the organization pointed out that ongoing application processes for future editions of the contest would be completed under the previous conditions. A corresponding circular to the approximately 45 member organizations is to be sent out shortly.

Reactions and next steps

With regard to the upcoming edition, the EBU does not expect any immediate impact on the choice of music or the performances of the artists. The competition rules for the stage performances remain unchanged, it was said. The broadcasting rights and the voting procedure are also not affected by the new hosting rule.

Martin Green emphasized in his statement that, despite the adjustment, the Song Contest remains a celebration of diversity and music. The EBU will continue the dialogue with its members and evaluate the impact of the new rule after each edition. A first review is planned for the coming year.

Overall, observers see the decision as an attempt by the EBU to proactively respond to a changed geopolitical situation without making the contest itself politically charged. The regulation sets a new framework against which future applications will have to be measured – with possible consequences also for countries that are not directly affected by the current occasion.