Eurovision is no stranger to rule changes, but the update announced by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) ahead of the 2026 contest marks one of the most far-reaching revisions in recent years. Following concerns about political influence, uneven promotional power, and widening gaps between jury and public votes, the EBU has introduced a redesigned voting system aimed at restoring balance and rebuilding trust with audiences.
The changes come after months of consultation with participating broadcasters, independent advisors, and music-industry specialists. While Eurovision remains first and foremost an entertainment event, the scale and visibility of the contest have made the integrity of its voting system a subject of increasing scrutiny. The 2026 framework attempts to respond to that reality.
Promotion Rules Tighten to Limit Outside Influence
One of the most notable elements of the overhaul is a stricter approach to promotion. In recent years, some delegations have invested heavily in campaigns designed to influence how audiences vote. The new rules attempt to put boundaries around that practice.
Under the updated Voting Instructions, participating broadcasters and artists may promote their entries, but they cannot take part in or support large-scale third-party campaigns. EBU explicitly highlights government-backed efforts as an area of concern. Any attempt to sway through disproportionate promotion can now trigger sanctions. The aim is simple: to preserve a level playing field between countries with vastly different resources.
A New Layer of Technical Safeguards
Alongside these policy changes, EBU is investing in the technical architecture of the voting system. Working with its longtime voting partner Once, the organization plans to strengthen systems that detect suspicious or coordinated voting patterns. This effort includes more advanced monitoring tools designed to block fraudulent activity, whether from bots, organized groups, or targeted campaigns.
This comes in response to concerns raised in recent editions of the contest about unusual voting clusters and possible external interference. While the EBU stated that the 2025 Contest produced a valid result, the new safeguards are meant to provide a visible guarantee of integrity.
Fans Will Have Fewer Maximum Votes to Cast
Another significant change is aimed at audience behavior. Starting in 2026, viewers will no longer be able to cast up to 20 votes per payment method. That number is now halved to 10.
This adjustment reflects a long-running debate about whether Eurovision rewards “fan power” rather than broad support. By lowering the cap, the EBU hopes to push viewers to distribute their votes more widely instead of concentrating them heavily behind a single favorite.
Juries Return to the Semi-Finals
The balance between expert juries and public televotes has been one of Eurovision’s most debated topics. After several years in which semi-final qualifiers were chosen exclusively by televote, the pendulum is swinging back.
From 2026 onward, the semi-final results will once again be decided by a combination of jury and public votes, similar to the approach used in the Grand Final. In practice, this means entries with strong artistic or technical merit but a smaller fan base have a better chance of reaching the final.
At the same time, the jury system itself is being refreshed. Panels will grow from five members to seven, and the range of eligible jurors will expand to include music journalists, teachers, choreographers, stage directors, and other creative professionals. Notably, each jury must now include members aged 18 to 25, reflecting Eurovision’s appeal to younger audiences. Jurors will also operate under stricter rules around impartiality, coordination, and social-media use.
A Contest Reinforcing Its Core Principles
Taken together, the 2026 voting changes form a comprehensive attempt to modernize the contest’s governance. They respond to specific concerns, such as excessive promotion, potential vote manipulation, and jury transparency, while reinforcing Eurovision’s long-standing principle of combining public taste with professional expertise.
The EBU describes the goal as keeping the contest a celebration of music rather than a battleground of influence. With the 70th edition set to take place in Vienna in May 2026, all eyes will be on how these reforms shape the results and whether they succeed in creating a fairer, more balanced Eurovision for the years ahead.
