The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is reportedly considering a major overhaul of the Eurovision Song Contest's voting system, potentially moving the public vote entirely online and limiting viewers to selecting their top three acts. The proposed changes, outlined in a letter to participating broadcasters including the BBC, aim to discourage voting campaigns that could influence results, according to BBC News.
The 2027 contest is confirmed to take place in Burgas, Bulgaria, following Bulgarian singer Dara's win in 2026. The EBU has issued a statement confirming it has begun investigating a move to wholly online audience voting, with more details to be announced in the coming months.
Current voting system and concerns
Under the current system, fans can vote up to 10 times per payment method for their favourite act via phone, text, or online. This was reduced from 20 votes earlier this year after concerns were raised about social media posts on Israeli government accounts encouraging multiple voting during the 2025 contest.
In 2025, Israel's Yuval Raphael with 'New Day Will Rise' won the public vote but placed second overall, sparking debate about the rules. Israel also placed second in the public vote in 2024 and finished fifth overall. The EBU's response included reducing the maximum number of votes per payment method from 20 to 10.
New rules for 2027
This week, the EBU announced additional rule changes for the 2027 competition. The winning broadcaster will now be automatically ineligible to host if their state is involved in an armed conflict or sensitive geopolitical situation. This follows the UK hosting the 2023 contest on behalf of Ukraine, which could not host due to the Russian invasion.
The EBU said the recent changes were made following feedback from participating broadcasters, adding that the new rules would provide greater clarity for artists and production staff. Other changes include a requirement that all artists be at least 18 years old from 2027, up from the previous minimum of 16 on the day of their first rehearsal. Additionally, the lead singer or singers must perform the main melody live.
Controversy and impact
Leading up to the 2026 contest in Vienna, Austria, controversy was rife, with Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, and Slovenia refusing to participate unless Israel was excluded over the war in Gaza. Since Israel remained in the contest, those nations did not compete this year.
The proposed voting changes are part of broader efforts to maintain the integrity of the competition. The EBU's statement confirms that investigations are underway, and further details will be announced in the months ahead. The decision on whether to adopt the fully online voting system will likely be made after consultation with participating broadcasters.
