Following the General Assembly held today in Geneva, the EBU members were asked to vote (secretly) on whether they support the new suggested changes to the Eurovision Contest rules.
The EBU released an official statement regarding the consequences
The suggested changes:
- The jury will vote in the semi-finals. The semi-final results will be based on 2 parts: Jury and Public votes. The EBU has experienced 3 years of determining the semi-final qualifiers based on public vote only. The change aims to increase the quality and diversity of acts making it to the final
- The jury panel will consist of 7 members (instead of 5 members). At least 2 jury members are required to be aged between 18 and 25. This is meant to reflect the Eurovision Song Contest’s appeal to a younger audience.
- Jurors will be asked to sign a formal declaration stating that they will vote independently and fairly, avoid any coordination with fellow jurors ahead of the Contest, and remain mindful of their social media activity, including not posting their preferences before the Contest ends.
- The number of votes per platform will be decreased. Each voter will be able to vote up to 10 times (instead of 20) per platform (SMS, online, phone call). Voters will also be encouraged to vote for more than one act.
- Promotions will be limited and monitored. Disproportionate promotional campaigns, which are managed by third parties, will be prohibited. Under the updated Code of Conduct, attempts to unfairly influence the outcome will result in sanctions. However, regular promotions, in charge of the artist and the national broadcaster, are allowed.
- The EBU will improve the measures related to technical security, and in particular will put special efforts related to fraud prevention.
A broad discussion on participation in the Eurovision Song Contest preceded the vote, where Members expressed diverse views and emphasized the need to protect the independence of public service media and a free press.
With broad agreement that a further vote wasn’t needed, the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 was confirmed to go ahead, including the new safeguards. Following this, no separate vote on participating countries was needed.
Each EBU member broadcaster has the right to vote in favor of or against the suggested rules. The results show clear support for the rules
 EBU President Delphine Ernotte Cunci said:
The result of this vote demonstrates our Members’ shared commitment to protecting transparency and trust in the Eurovision Song Contest, the world’s largest live music event. I would like to thank all Members for their thoughtful, respectful and constructive contributions during today’s session and throughout the extensive consultation process undertaken this year. These discussions have led to meaningful changes to the rules of the Eurovision Song Contest, ensuring it remains a place for unity and cultural exchange
In the coming days, national broadcasters will be asked to confirm their participation.
The official list of participating countries will be announced before Christmas.
Following the results of the general assembly, Israel’s participation was officially confirmed.
4 countries have informed of their withdrawal from the contest: The Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia.
Eurovision 2026 will be held in Vienna, Austria, on May 12th, 14th, and 16th, 2026.
