The Eurovision Song Contest’s iconic voting system, which sees the televoting public and international juries from all participating countries decide qualifiers and the ultimate winner, is set for notable adjustments. The ‘Douze points’ scoring mechanism, a staple since 1975, has consistently evolved to foster fair conditions, and the 2026 contest in Vienna introduces further innovations to this crucial process.
The Enduring Debate: Public vs. Jury
Since its inception, the Eurovision Song Contest has continuously adapted its voting procedures to ensure fairness and reflect the evolving landscape of music and audience engagement. The current system, which combines the votes of national professional juries and the public televote in the Grand Final, has been a cornerstone of the competition for years, culminating in the thrilling ‘Douze points‘ announcements that have become synonymous with Eurovision.
Major Innovations for Eurovision 2026
For the upcoming 70th edition in Vienna, hosted by ORF on May 12, 14, and 16, 2026, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has announced a series of significant updates to the voting rules, aiming to bolster trust, transparency, and the balance between artistic merit and popular appeal.
One of the most impactful changes sees the return of professional juries to the Semi-Finals, a move not seen since 2022. This reintroduces a roughly 50/50 split between jury and audience votes in the Semi-Finals, mirroring the system already in place for the Grand Final. This ensures that high-quality entries with broad artistic merit are recognised alongside those with popular appeal, strengthening the overall integrity of the competition.
Enhanced Transparency and Audience Engagement
To further refine the public’s influence, the maximum number of votes per payment method (online, SMS, or phone call) will be reduced from 20 to 10. This adjustment encourages viewers to spread their support across multiple entries rather than concentrating a large volume of votes on a single favourite, promoting a broader and more balanced competition.
The composition and scrutiny of the national juries are also undergoing substantial enhancements. Each national jury will now consist of seven members, an increase from the previous five, thereby lowering the individual influence of each juror. To ensure a more diverse and representative panel, the EBU has expanded the range of professional backgrounds for jurors to include music journalists, critics, music teachers, creative professionals such as choreographers and stage directors, and experienced music industry figures. Crucially, each jury will now include at least two jurors aged between 18 and 25, reflecting the Contest’s appeal to younger audiences.
Furthermore, new measures are being introduced to safeguard the voting process from undue influence. Jurors will be required to sign a formal declaration confirming their commitment to independent and impartial voting, prohibiting coordination with other jurors, and ensuring mindful social media use before the Contest concludes. The EBU is also implementing stronger limits on promotional campaigns by third parties, including government-backed initiatives, that could potentially influence voting outcomes, reinforcing the Contest’s neutrality and integrity.
These comprehensive changes underscore the EBU’s dedication to maintaining the Eurovision Song Contest as a fair and transparent celebration of music and unity, continually adapting to provide the best possible experience for artists and viewers alike.
