Eurovision bars countries at war from hosting, raises age

Eurovision Song Contest organisers announced rule changes on Wednesday that would exclude a winning country from hosting if armed conflict or a sensitive geopolitical situation affects security, safety or stability, and raised the minimum age for competitors to 18.

Under the new rules, the winning broadcaster will be automatically ineligible to host the contest if an armed conflict, a sensitive geopolitical situation or another situation materially affects the security, safety or stability of its state or immediate region, organisers said.

The organisers also said competitors must be at least 18 on the day of their first rehearsal, up from 16. They said the age change was intended to strengthen safeguarding and protect younger artists from the pressures of competing.

The statement did not name any country. Israel, which has been at war in Gaza since 2023, finished second in both the 2025 and 2026 contests. Five countries — Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland — boycotted the 2026 edition in Vienna over Israel's participation, saying they could not take part alongside Israel because of the war in Gaza, which was triggered by Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

Martin Green, director of the Eurovision Song Contest, said the changes were guided by feedback from member countries and were meant to give participants greater clarity, protect artists and provide a safe environment.

Eurovision is a co-production of public broadcasters belonging to the European Broadcasting Union, whose membership includes broadcasters outside Europe. The EBU said it could commission an independent security assessment before deciding whether a winning country can safely host the event.

If a winning country is found unable to host, the EBU will appoint another host nation. Under the new rules, that country will organise the contest in its own right and will not be required to stage the event on behalf of another member.

Ukraine hosted Eurovision in 2017 despite conflict in the country's east between Ukrainian forces and Moscow-backed separatists. After Ukraine won in 2022, it was unable to host the 2023 contest because of Russia's full-scale invasion, and the event was held in Liverpool in the United Kingdom on Ukraine's behalf.