Eurovision rule changes for 2026: Juries return to Semi-finals

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has announced a series of updates to the voting rules for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, aiming to strengthen trust, transparency, and audience engagement.

The headline changes bring professional juries back to both Semi-finals for the first time since 2022 and reduce the maximum number of televotes per payment method from 20 to 10 for Eurovision 2026.

Juries return to the Semi-finals

From 2026 the Eurovision Semi-finals will once again use a roughly 50/50 split between jury and audience voting, mirroring the system already used in the Grand Final. Professional juries of music experts will therefore help determine which songs qualify for the Grand Final at the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna.

To support this, the size and composition of each national jury will change. The number of jurors in each country increases from five to seven, with a broader mix of professional backgrounds that can now include music journalists and critics, music teachers, creative professionals such as choreographers and stage directors, and experienced music industry figures.

To reflect Eurovision’s popularity with younger audiences, every jury must now include at least two jurors aged 18 to 25. All jurors will also have to sign a formal declaration confirming that they vote independently and impartially, do not coordinate with other jurors, and avoid sharing their voting preferences on social media before the Contest concludes.

Martin Green, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, says that the updated jury system is designed to protect the Contest’s core values.

– We’ve listened and we’ve acted, says Martin Green and continues:

– The neutrality and integrity of the Eurovision Song Contest is of paramount importance to the EBU, its Members, and all our audiences. It is essential that the fairness of the Contest is always protected.

– We are taking clear and decisive steps to ensure the contest remains a celebration of music and unity. The Contest should remain a neutral space and must not be instrumentalized.

From 20 to 10 votes

Alongside the jury changes, the EBU is also reforming televoting. For Eurovision 2026 the maximum number of votes per payment method will be reduced from 20 to 10, whether fans vote online, by SMS, or by phone call.

The aim is to encourage viewers to spread their support across more entries instead of concentrating large numbers of votes on a single favorite. The EBU hopes this will help maintain a broad and balanced competition while still giving fans a strong voice in the final result.

Stronger rules on promotion and voting safeguards

The voting rule changes are part of a wider package of measures for 2026. The Voting Instructions and Code of Conduct for participating broadcasters are being strengthened to limit disproportionate promotion campaigns, particularly when they are organized or supported by third parties such as governments or governmental agencies.

Broadcasters and artists will not be allowed to actively engage in, facilitate, or contribute to promotional campaigns by third parties that could unfairly influence the voting outcome. Any attempts to unduly influence the results may lead to sanctions under the updated Code of Conduct.

On the technical side, the EBU will continue to work with its voting partner Once to expand security systems that detect and block fraudulent or coordinated voting activity. Monitoring of suspicious patterns will be strengthened to help ensure that the audience vote remains fair and trustworthy.

Green stresses that these steps are intended to keep the focus on the songs and performers:

– These measures are designed to keep the focus where it belongs – on music, creativity and connection, says Martin Green.

– While we are confident the 2025 Contest delivered a valid and robust result, these changes will help provide stronger safeguards and increase engagement so fans can be sure that every vote counts and every voice is heard.

2026 lineup before Christmas

All the changes have been approved by the Eurovision Song Contest’s Reference Group, which represents the participating broadcasters. Their impact will be reviewed after the 2026 Contest to see whether further adjustments are needed in future years.

EBU Members will discuss the overall package of measures at the General Assembly at the beginning of December, where they will consider whether the reforms sufficiently address their concerns without holding a vote on participation. After the General Assembly, the EBU will work with broadcasters to confirm who will take part in Eurovision 2026.

The full list of participating broadcasters is expected to be revealed before Christmas. The 70th Eurovision Song Contest will then take place at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria, on Tuesday 12, Thursday 14, and Saturday 16 May 2026.