GENEVA:
Some 35 countries will compete in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, organizers said on Monday, despite five countries boycotting Israel’s participation in the glamorous annual extravaganza.
Widespread opposition to the conduct of Israel’s two-year war in Gaza has led to calls for him to be banned from the world’s biggest live televised music event.
There were also suspicions of manipulation of the televoting system to favor Israel.
On December 4, members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the world’s largest public media alliance, agreed to behind-the-scenes changes and decided that a vote was not needed to continue Israel’s membership.
Public broadcasters in Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain have duly announced they will boycott the 70th edition of the competition, which will be held in the Austrian capital in May.
Spain — along with Britain, France, Germany and Italy — was a member of the so-called Big Five: the main financial backers of Eurovision, guaranteed a place in the Grand Final, along with the host country.
The Geneva-based EBU revealed the list of competing countries on Monday, announcing: “35 broadcasters will send songs and artists to Vienna.”
A total of 37 countries competed in this year’s competition in Basel, Switzerland, which was won by Austrian opera singer JJ with ‘Wasted Love’.
Despite the five-country boycott, 35 will compete next year as Bulgaria, Romania and Moldova return to the competition after absences of three, two and one year respectively.
The contest “remains a place where voices, cultures, languages and music come together. Where people from many backgrounds can show that in a difficult world a better one is possible,” said Eurovision director Martin Green.
He said the three-country comeback was “a vivid reminder of… what it really means to be united by music”.
Israel’s contestant in Basel finished second after a huge public vote.
Under new rules aimed at alleviating broadcasters’ concerns, the maximum number of votes per payment method will be halved from 20 to 10.
Enhanced technical measures are taken to detect and prevent coordinated or fraudulent voting.
And the rules now discourage “disproportionate promotional campaigns,” particularly those made or supported by third parties, including governments and government agencies.
The judges again in the semi-finals
The new rules for 2026 aim to preserve the “fairness, integrity and spirit” of the competition, the EBU said on Monday.
“These changes reflect our commitment to ensure that the Eurovision Song Contest remains a neutral venue for showcasing music, talent and unity — free from undue influence and based on transparency.”
The judges will return to the semi-finals on 12 and 14 May for the first time since 2022, with their scores combined with those of the public.
The EBU said 15 countries will compete in the first semi-final and 15 in the second, with 10 from each going through to the Grand Final on 16 May. Those 20 will join Austria, Britain, France, Germany and Italy in the main event, meaning there will be 25 songs in the final in Vienna, compared to 26 in Basel.
The draw for the semi-finals will take place on January 12 in Vienna. Tickets go on sale January 13, with fans required to pre-register by Friday.
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