- The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has introduced several changes to the Eurovision Song Contest's voting system for 2026, aiming to enhance fairness and engagement.
- Viewers will now be limited to casting 10 votes per payment method, a reduction by half, and for the first time, UK fans will exclusively vote online via the EBU's central website, esc.vote. These votes make up 50 per cent of a nation's total score with the remainder being decided by the competition jury.
- New guidelines have been implemented to discourage “disproportionate promotion campaigns,” particularly those undertaken or supported by third parties or governments, following reports of such activities in the 2025 contest.
- The composition of national juries has been expanded to seven members, up from five, with a broader range of professional backgrounds now accepted, including music journalists and teachers, and a requirement for two jurors aged between 18 and 25.
- The EBU has also stepped up technical safeguarding measures to prevent any fraudulent or coordinated voting activity, ensuring the integrity of the contest's results.
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