The European Broadcasting Union has changed Eurovision Song Contest rules to stop countries in conflict or with security risks hosting the event.
Under the updated official regulations, the governing body can transfer host duties to another participating public broadcaster if the winning nation cannot guarantee safety or geopolitical stability.
The European Broadcasting Union confirmed that hosting will still default to the public broadcaster of the winning country from the previous edition. However, host rights will be revoked if a nation faces armed conflict, a delicate geopolitical situation, or any circumstance materially affecting regional security.
The rule change comes as several participating countries debate whether to return to the competition or maintain a boycott over Israel's involvement. In practice, the measure prevents delegations such as Israel from hosting the event during an ongoing conflict in Gaza, even if its entry wins the crystal microphone trophy awarded to the victor.
The European Broadcasting Union is an alliance of public service media organisations across Europe and neighboring regions. Under long-standing Eurovision tradition, victory in the annual music contest grants the winning country's national broadcaster the right to host the following year's show.
New Powers for Replacement Host Broadcasters
If host duties are reassigned, the replacement broadcaster will assume 100 per cent of the rights and responsibilities as host in its own right. The alternative network will not be required to produce the event on behalf of the winning country's broadcaster.
The overhaul responds to logistical difficulties and uncertainty surrounding host city selection in recent years. The direct precedent occurred in 2023 when the Russian invasion prevented 2022 winner Ukraine from hosting the competition. British broadcaster BBC stepped in to co-organise the event in Liverpool alongside Ukrainian broadcaster Suspilne. Had the new framework been in force in 2023, the BBC would have acted as the sole host organisation rather than a representative of Suspilne.
The alliance confirmed it can order a host transfer at any time, either before the Grand Final or immediately after announcing the winner. Officials emphasised that the adjustment is strictly logistical and will not alter contest scores or prevent the winning country from competing in the subsequent edition. The update does not ban any country from participating or alter recent contest dynamics.
Updated Rules for Eurovision 2027 in Bulgaria
The host selection reform was introduced following the organization's annual review, which approved several regulatory modifications for the 2027 contest in Bulgaria. The 2027 event follows the 2026 contest victory by Bulgarian representative Dara.
Under the revised rules for 2027, all contestants must reach the age of majority by the date of their first rehearsal. The EBU also clarified rules on backing vocals, permitting pre-recorded vocal tracks provided the lead vocalist remains the sole performer executing the main melody live.
