The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced this Friday a series of “important” updates to the Eurovision Song Contest voting system, “designed to strengthen trust, transparency and public participation.”
As reported by the body in charge of organizing the festival, “the changes are the result of an extensive consultation process with the members of the EBU after the 2025 contest”, marked by the controversial participation of Israel in the midst of its war offensive on Gaza.
In this sense, the EBU has assured that an independent advisor, appointed by the Executive Committee of the EBU, has conducted a “thorough review” of participation, collaborating “closely” with the general directors of the participating broadcasters and other organizers of international events.
Thus, he assured that the recommendations of the independent advisor “coincided” with the observations of the heads of delegation and have served as a basis for adopting measures that “further strengthen the contest’s voting system.”
“We have listened and we have acted,” declared the festival director, Martin Green, who maintains that “the neutrality and integrity” of Eurovision are of “utmost importance” for the EBU, its members and its entire public.
Martin Green stressed that “it is essential that the impartiality of the Festival is always protected.” “We are taking clear and decisive measures to ensure that the competition remains a celebration of music and unity. The competition must remain a neutral space and must not be instrumentalized,” he emphasized.
“Along with the changes we announced today, we will strengthen the application of our current rules to prevent any misuse of the contest, for example, through song lyrics or staging. In addition, we will work closely with members to ensure that they fully understand and are responsible for respecting the rules and values that define the contest,” he said.
KEY CHANGES FOR 2026
In this way, the EBU has detailed that the updated voting instructions support the “adequate” promotion of artists and their songs (“which is an essential part of the professional music industry”), but “disincentivize disproportionate promotional campaigns particularly when carried out or supported by third parties, including governments or government agencies.”
The EBU thus establishes that participating broadcasters and artists “cannot actively participate in, facilitate or contribute to third-party promotional campaigns that may influence the outcome of the vote and, as indicated in the updated Code of Conduct, any attempt to improperly influence the results will lead to sanctions.”
On the other hand, for the 2026 edition, the maximum number of votes per payment method (online, SMS and phone call) will be reduced from 20 to 10. “Fans will be actively encouraged to share their support through multiple entries,” he added.
Additionally, the EBU has explained that professional juries of music experts will return to the semi-finals for the first time since 2022, creating a roughly 50/50 split between jury and audience votes, as in the Grand Final.
“This change aims to encourage optimal musical balance and greater diversity in the songs that qualify for the Grand Final, ensuring that high-quality entries with broad artistic merit are recognized alongside those that have popular appeal,” the Eurovision organization has noted.
In relation to the number of juries, it will be increased from 5 to 7 and the diversity of professional profiles from which they can be selected will be expanded, including journalists and music critics, music teachers, creative professionals such as choreographers and stage directors, and figures with experience in the music industry.
“To reflect the appeal of the competition to a younger audience,” as indicated by the EBU, each jury will now have at least two members between 18 and 25 years old.
“All jury members must sign a formal declaration to confirm that they will vote independently and impartially, that they will not coordinate with other jury members before the competition and that they will be aware of their use of social networks, that is, that they will not share their preferences online before the competition ends,” he clarified.
REINFORCED SECURITY SYSTEMS
Along with these changes, the EBU has announced that it will continue to work “closely” with its partner Once to expand the contest’s advanced security systems, which “detect and prevent fraudulent or coordinated voting activities, and strengthen surveillance of suspicious patterns to maintain confidence in the public’s voting results.”
“These measures are designed to keep the focus where it belongs: on music, creativity and connection,” said Martin Green. “While we are confident that the 2025 contest returned a valid and solid result, these changes will help provide greater assurance and increase participation so that fans can be assured that every vote counts and every voice is heard,” he added.
The director has assured that Eurovision “must always continue to be a place where music is the protagonist” and where we continue to “be truly united by music.”
The changes have been approved by the Eurovision Reference Group, the event’s governing body representing all participating broadcasters. “Its impact will be monitored and reviewed after the 2026 Festival to inform future improvements,” the EBU has advanced.
Members meeting at the EBU General Assembly in early December will have to consider this package of measures and decide whether they are sufficient to address their “concerns, without putting participation to a vote.” Following the General Assembly, the EBU will work with its members to confirm their participation in next year’s competition.
The full list of broadcasters participating in next year’s competition will be announced before Christmas.
The 70th Eurovision Song Contest will be organized by ORF at the Wiener Stadthalle, in Vienna (Austria), on Tuesday 12, Thursday 14 and Saturday 16 May 2026.