Following a momentous day for the Eurovision Song Contest and the outcome of the 95th EBU General Assembly this evening, Yle has confirmed its commitment to participate in the upcoming contest in Vienna, Austria next May.
🇫🇮 Yle WILL participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026
Earlier this Summer, Yle released a statement following Eurovision 2025 outlining their requests for voting changes. Today, following the 95th EBU General Assembly the Finnish broadcaster has announced it will participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. Thus, the national selection UMK26 continues as intended.
Before the Assembly commenced, Yle issued a press release announcing their demands from the voting changes.
- EBU implements its proposed changes to the competition rules, monitors their compliance, and evaluates the effect of these changes.
- The safety of the participants and the audience must be ensured.
- The number of participating members in Eurovision remains large, and Eurovision continues to be a cultural event that brings together the international community.
- The costs for participating members must not increase unreasonably.
During the General Assembly all EBU members were invited to vote on the recently announced rule changes proposed by the EBU. These included the return of juries to the Semi-Finals, a reduction in the number of votes from 20 to 10 and strong safeguards to the voting procedures and abilities of governments to campaign for entries. The new rules passed the vote with 738 votes in favour of the new measures, 264 against and 120 abstentions.
Yle and the Nordic public broadcasters SVT, SR, UR, DR and NRK voted in favour of the reforms.
“We support the EBU’s decision to address shortcomings in the voting system, as well as other measures aimed at developing Eurovision. These changes are essential to maintain the event’s credibility and independence.
All companies that meet the EBU’s membership criteria and comply with the contest’s rules will retain the right to participate. There was no vote on the participation of Israel’s public broadcaster KAN.
We have a shared view with the public broadcasters of Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Companies that meet the EBU’s membership criteria and follow its rules may participate in the Eurovision Song Contest. If this is not the case, we naturally expect the EBU leadership to take action.
Yle’s management has set conditions for participating in Eurovision. Based on the discussion at the meeting, these conditions are being met, and Yle is preparing to participate in next year’s Eurovision in Vienna.
However, we consider it important to continue discussions within the EBU on how Eurovision can be further developed. This means that the new rules and their effectiveness must be continuously evaluated.”
Marit af Björkesten (Yle CEO)
This news comes following the shock withdrawals of Ireland, Netherlands, Spain.
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