The Eurovision Song Contest is making major changes to its voting and promotional rules in 2026 following criticism about the result of Israel’s public vote in 2025.
Following complaints from various participating nations, the EBU confirmed that supporters would be capped at a maximum of 10 votes apiece, from 20 votes each in previous years. This is intended to reduce possible manipulation of the voting yet still enable fans to spread votes among several preferred acts.
The semi-final rounds will, for the first time since 2022, feature professional juries alongside the public vote in a 50/50 split to ensure that both quality and diversity are present in the musical selections.
The move also answers criticism over excessive promotion, particularly funding of campaigns by third-party entities, including governmental bodies. New rules to that end will bar broadcasters and artists from engaging in, or facilitating, promotions initiated by third-party entities that could influence voting results unduly.
These rule changes come in the wake of ongoing controversy over Israel’s involvement, with countries such as Spain, Ireland and the Netherlands threatening to boycott if Israel remain in the contest. Although a vote on Israel’s participation was postponed by the EBU in the wake of the Gaza ceasefire, discussion is expected in December at a face-to-face General Assembly meeting. Israel came second in the 2025 contest, with their artist Yuval Raphael winning the public vote before eventually losing out after jury scores were taken into account.
