The EBU has just announced that the Eurovision Reference Group approved several change to the rules of the Contest ahead of the 2027 edition, with important clarifications given regarding hosting rights and eligibility of artists and entries.
The changed rules are, in details:
- rules on the choice of hosts, if a winning country’s hosting poses security risks
- rules on the age of participating artists
- a clarification on audio rules for eligible entries
Hosting rules: automatic ineligibility for countries in tense geopolitical situations
The main new amendment concerns countries that are in “an armed conflict, a sensitive geopolitical situation, or any other situation [which] materially affects the security, safety or stability of their state or immediate region.” While these countries may participate in the Contest, they would be automatically ineligible to host the contest in case of victory.
Although the EBU press release does not name any specific country, the immediate consequence considering the 2026 and expected 2027 line-up is that Ukraine and Israel could be automatically barred from hosting in the current conditions. The rule also allows the EBU to “commission an independent security assessment of the winner’s region” which would inform the Reference Group, allowing the EBU to decide whether a specific country can safely host the Contest or not.
This would be a very late decision, but the EBU also gives itself the possibility to make a country ineligible to host before the Grand Final: it is well-known that broadcasters are approached by the EBU in the weeks and days before the final show, when a reduced number of favourites are identified. The EBU could thus signify to a broadcaster their ineligibility to host before it had won, likely to limit any statement from the broadcaster after its eventual victory.
Detailed rules define the region as “the country of the Participating Broadcaster concerned and/or neighbouring territories where such a situation has a direct and material impact on its security environment (for example through military operations, attacks, or airspace restrictions affecting the safe organisation of the ESC).” Considering this score and the “sensitive geopolitical situation” which may go beyond a pure armed conflict, this could also end up excluding countries such as Moldova, or the Baltic countries (depending on the evolution of geopolitics around Russia) from hosting.
No co-hosting expected
If a country cannot host due to this rule, the EBU will select another Host Broadcaster which “will assume all rights, obligations and liabilities associated with hosting the Contest, including responsibility for the organisation, production and staging of the event.” That broadcaster will not be required to host “on behalf” of the previous year’s winning country, meaning that a “co-hosting” such as that of Liverpool 2023 (with the BBC hosting the contest on behalf of Ukraine, with many Ukrainian elements weaved into the production, both backstage and onscreen) will not be mandatory.
This would mark a return to the backup hosting of the first decades of the Contest, such as London 1963, Edinburgh 1972 or The Hague 1980, where the host broadcasters did not particularly acknowledge the country that had won the year before. It also gives more leeway to the EBU to choose the host, as the rules do not specify that the runner-up has to be automatically considered first.
Clarifications on other cases of ineligibility
Although the press release only refers to geopolitical situations, the detailed updated rules on the Eurovision website list a few other cases in which the EBU may opt for an alternative host broadcaster. It may do so if the broadcaster:
- does not accept or abide by the Rules of the ESC;
- cannot reasonably guarantee the safety, security, integrity, continuity or smooth operational delivery of the Event, including the transmission and staging of the Shows and the safety of participants, staff, media, audiences and partners;
- is found to have attempted to unfairly influence the results or outcome of the ESC in favour of its own entry; or
- does not respect, protect, or otherwise undermines, the non-political character of the ESC.
These seems to specifically address concerns raised by several broadcasters, including some of those that boycotted the 2026 contest, regarding issues with the televote of the past few years, and the possibility that the Israeli government and its broadcaster KAN had participated in disproportionate promotion campaigns for their 2024 and 2025 candidates, with an attempt to do the same in 2026.
A new age rule: 18 by the time of the first rehearsal
Although several broadcasters had revealed it months ago, a new rule will be in place for Eurovision 2027 regarding the age of artists, who must be 18 by the day of their first rehearsal. Previously, the rule was that artists had to be 16 by that day.
From what we understand, the rule was announced well in advanced of the 2027 season in order to allow broadcasters to still go ahead with their plans in 2026 without interference (and France did send a 17-year-old to Vienna earlier this year), giving them enough time to get everything in place for 2027, by changing eligibility rules for national selections for example.
A clarification on audio rules
Since the Covid pandemic, rules on the audio tracks of entries have changed and delegations have been allowed to use pre-recorded backing tracks. These rules have been clarified by adding details to the paragraphs on audio rules. You can find the editions below, written in bold and italics:
1- Lead vocals must be performed live on stage. Lip-syncing is not permitted. No pitch-correction (e.g. Auto-tuning) for live vocals shall be allowed in any case for the live Act performances on stage.
2027 rules on audio for Eurovision, with changes from the 2026 rules in bold and italics
2- Backing tracks and pre-recorded elements may be used in accordance with the ESC Rules, provided that the lead vocal remains the only element performing the main melody and they do not replace or unduly assist the live vocal performance.
3- Additional technical requirements apply to ensure the integrity and authenticity of the live performance.
The new rules confirm the ban on autotune at the Contest, and specify the importance of the lead vocals as “the only element performing the main melody” if pre-recorded vocals are used. It seems it could still allow backing vocalists to perform the main melody if they perform live during the show.
ESC Director Martin Green commented on the changes :
The Eurovision Song Contest is constantly evolving, and our annual review of the Rules is an important part of making sure the Contest remains fair, transparent and consistent for all those who participate, including the millions who engage with the event globally. Guided, as always, by feedback from our Members, we have clarified and strengthened several areas for 2027. These changes are about giving everyone involved greater clarity, protecting artists and ensuring the Contest continues to provide a safe and welcoming environment, while preserving the spirit and integrity that make the Eurovision Song Contest so special.
Martin Green, Eurovision Song Contest Director
How do you feel about these new rules, especially regarding hosting eligibility? Do you welcome the clarification? Do you think these will convince some of the “boycotting” broadcasters to come back? Tell us more in the comments below or on socials!
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The rule changes seem to be fair. My one main issue is that recorded backing vocals should be stopped altogether.