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EBU Tightens Eurovision Voting Rules for 2026 to Rebuild Trust

Member broadcasters will weigh the package at the 4–5 December General Assembly, with the 2026 lineup due before Christmas.

Overview

  • Public voting power is reduced by halving the limit to ten votes per payment method (online, SMS or phone) for each viewer.
  • Professional juries return to the semi‑finals with seven members per country, including at least two aged 18–25, and their votes will balance the public’s 50/50.
  • Broadcasters and artists are barred from participating in third‑party promotional campaigns that could sway voting, including those backed by governments.
  • The EBU will expand technical safeguards with voting partner Once to detect coordinated or fraudulent activity and bolster vote security.
  • The measures follow controversy after Israel topped the 2025 televote, as several countries threatened a 2026 boycott, while the EBU maintains last year’s result was valid.