Eurovision News 
The EBU has introduced a series of new amendments for the forthcoming Eurovision Song Contest 2027 in Bulgaria, one of them being the rule for the winning broadcaster and hosting Eurovision.
The Eurovision Song Contest will see several amendments to its rules, one of them being that the winning broadcaster will not be eligible to host the Eurovision Song Contest if it is involved in an armed conflict, geopolitical sensitive scenario or any situation that the EBU deems it can affect the security, safety and stability of their state of immedidate region.
The EBU’s statement reads:
The Rules of the Contest now say the winning broadcaster will automatically be ineligible to host the Contest if an armed conflict, a sensitive geopolitical situation, or any other situation materially affects the security, safety or stability of their state or immediate region.
Where deemed necessary, the EBU may commission an independent security assessment of the winner’s region. Following that assessment, the EBU will consult the Reference Group to determine whether the winning Member is able to safely host the Contest.
If the winning Member is deemed unable to host, the EBU will identify an alternative Host Broadcaster. The appointed Host Broadcaster will assume all rights, obligations and liabilities associated with hosting the Contest, including responsibility for the organisation, production and staging of the event. The Host Broadcaster will organise the Contest in its own right and will not be required to stage the event on behalf of another Member.
The EBU’s new rule for Eurovision hosting states:
The ESC is traditionally hosted by the Participating Broadcaster of the country that won the previous edition, if requested by the EBU. If the winning Participating Broadcaster is unable, or not permitted under the Rules, to host, the EBU may designate another Participating Broadcaster to host the Event instead.
Circumstances in which hosting may pass to another Broadcaster
The EBU may pass the option to host the ESC to another Member where, among other things, the winning Participating Broadcaster:
- does not accept or abide by the Rules of the ESC;
- cannot reasonably guarantee the safety, security, integrity, continuity or smooth operational delivery of the Event, including the transmission and staging of the Shows and the safety of participants, staff, media, audiences and partners;
- is found to have attempted to unfairly influence the results or outcome of the ESC in favour of its own entry; or
- does not respect, protect, or otherwise undermines, the non-political character of the ESC.
Hosting and exceptional geopolitical or security circumstances
Where an armed conflict, a sensitive geopolitical situation, or any other situation materially affects the security, safety or stability of the immediate region of a Participating Broadcaster, that Participating Broadcaster shall not be eligible to host the next ESC should its entry win.
In such cases, the EBU may nevertheless determine, at its sole discretion and after consulting the Reference Group, that the Participating Broadcaster concerned remains eligible to host, where the EBU is satisfied that the safety, security, integrity, continuity and smooth operational delivery of the Event can reasonably be guaranteed. In reaching this determination, the EBU may commission an independent security assessment.
For this purpose, the “immediate region” means the country of the Participating Broadcaster concerned and/or neighbouring territories where such a situation has a direct and material impact on its security environment (for example through military operations, attacks, or airspace restrictions affecting the safe organisation of the ESC).
The EBU may make such a determination at any time, including before the Grand Final or immediately after the winning entry is announced. Where it does so, it will inform the Participating Broadcaster concerned, together with the reasons for its decision, without undue delay. A determination of this kind affects only the hosting of the following edition; it does not affect the Participating Broadcaster’s participation in, or the outcome of, the ESC.
Where hosting passes to another Member, that Member takes on the rights and obligations of Host Broadcaster in full.
