The Eurovision Song Contest has introduced a new set of rules that could prevent the winning country from hosting the following year’s contest. Traditionally, Eurovision is hosted by the broadcaster from the previous year’s winning country, provided that the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) requests it. Now, however, updated rules have given the EBU the power to hand out hosting duties to another broadcaster if the winning broadcaster does not accept or follow Eurovision’s rules.
New grounds for passing on hosting duties
Circumstances in which hosting duties may be passed over include if the winning country cannot guarantee the safety and security of the contest, attempts to unfairly influence the result or undermines Eurovision’s non-political character. The new rules also addresses situations involving war and geopolitical tensions.
If an armed conflict, sensitive geopolitical situation or another event has a material impact on the security, safety or stability of the immediate region of the winning broadcaster, it will not normally be eligible to host the following Eurovision. The EBU can, however, make an exception if it is satisfied that the contest can still be delivered safely and securely.
Impact on participation and results
Being ruled ineligible to host, however, does not affect a country’s participation in Eurovision and does not change the result of the contest. Another broadcaster would then take on the full rights and responsibilities of hosting the event.
The rule change comes amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in Europe, which have previously affected the contest’s hosting arrangements. The EBU has not yet commented on whether any specific country is currently under consideration for being passed over.
