Ukraine Can Win but Not Host Eurovision: How the New EBU Rule Will Work
13 August 08:32
The European Broadcasting Union has changed the rules for the Eurovision Song Contest, effective in 2027. A country involved in an armed conflict will be able to participate and win, but its public broadcaster will not be allowed to host the next contest. The EBU will select the next host country on its own.
The updated rules will take effect starting with Eurovision 2027, according to The Guardian, as reported by "Komersant Ukrainian"
What Has Changed in the Eurovision Rules
Traditionally, the contest has been organized by the public broadcaster of the country whose representative won the previous year. Now, broadcasters from countries involved in an armed conflict will no longer have this automatic right.
A complex geopolitical situation that threatens the security or stability of a country or the surrounding region may also serve as grounds for relocating the contest.
In cases that do not clearly fall under the definition of an armed conflict, the risks will be assessed by an independent security body. Based on this assessment, the EBU will decide whether the country is capable of safely hosting the contest.
The organizers explained the changes as necessary to:
- ensure the safety of contestants and contest staff;
- provide broadcasters with clearer rules;
- ensure stable preparations for the show;
- to maintain the fairness and transparency of the contest.
Has Ukraine been banned from participating in Eurovision?
No. The new rule does not prohibit Ukraine or any other country currently at war from performing at Eurovision.
The Ukrainian representative will be able to:
- participate in the contest;
- perform in the semifinals and finals;
- receive votes from the jury and viewers;
- win Eurovision.
If Ukraine wins while the new rule is in effect and the war continues, the next contest will be held in another country.
Who will host the contest if Ukraine wins
If the broadcaster of the winning country is deemed unfit to host the show, the EBU will independently find an alternative host.
The selected broadcaster will assume all rights, obligations, financial responsibilities, and organizational risks associated with hosting the contest.
Unlike Eurovision 2023, the new host will not be required to:
- host the contest on behalf of the winner;
- use the winning country’s symbols;
- represent its culture;
- involve the winning country’s broadcaster in organizing the show.
Thus, the country will retain its victory and the right to send a contestant next year, but may lose both the show itself and the opportunity to influence its cultural presentation.
How the new rule differs from the situation with Ukraine in 2023
In 2022, the Kalush Orchestra won Eurovision with the song “Stefania.” Ukraine was supposed to host the next contest, but due to Russia’s full-scale invasion, the EBU decided that it was impossible to guarantee the safe preparation and staging of the show.
Eurovision 2023 took place in Liverpool, UK. The United Kingdom organized the contest on behalf of Ukraine, so Ukrainian cultural motifs were widely used in the staging, musical performances, and television broadcast.
Now, this format of cooperation is no longer mandatory. The alternate broadcaster will host the contest as the full-fledged host, rather than as an organizer on behalf of the winner.
Watch us on YouTube: important topics – without censorship
Do the changes apply to Israel?
The rules are formulated without mentioning specific countries. They will apply equally to any broadcaster whose country is involved in an armed conflict or is in a precarious geopolitical situation.
Therefore, the restrictions potentially apply to both Ukraine and Israel. If a representative from such a country wins, the EBU will apply the new criteria when determining the host of the next contest.
At the same time, the changes do not mean the automatic exclusion of Israel or Ukraine from the list of participants.
The rules were updated following several years of controversy surrounding Israel’s participation. Five countries—Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, and Slovenia—boycotted the 2026 contest due to the organizers’ decision not to exclude the Israeli broadcaster.
Bulgaria will host Eurovision 2027
The new restrictions will not affect the upcoming contest. Eurovision 2027 will take place in Bulgaria following the country’s first victory in the contest.
In 2026, when the show was held in Vienna, singer DARA secured Bulgaria’s victory. The Bulgarian public broadcaster will host the next contest.
According to The Guardian, the 2026 Eurovision final was watched by about 130 million people. In 2025, the audience numbered approximately 160 million viewers.
Contestants must be at least 18 years old
The EBU has changed more than just the rules for selecting the host country. Starting in 2027, the minimum age for performers will be raised from 16 to 18.
Previously, an artist could perform in the adult Eurovision contest if they were at least 16 years old at the time of the contest.
The organizers explained that the age restriction is necessary to better protect performers from psychological pressure, intense media attention, and other risks associated with participating in an international show.
What the new rule means for Ukraine
For Ukraine, the changes will have practical significance only in the event of another victory during the war. The Ukrainian representative’s performance, participation in the voting, and the opportunity to take first place remain unchanged.
However, Ukraine’s National Public Broadcasting Company will not automatically be granted host broadcaster status. The EBU will transfer hosting duties to another country, and Ukraine will no longer be obligated to organize the contest on its behalf.
Thus, the new rule separates victory from the right to host Eurovision: it is possible to win the contest, but not to host it during an armed conflict.
Read us on Telegram: important topics – without censorship
