The organisers of the Eurovision Song Contest have revealed plans for its inaugural live tour, marking the event's 70th anniversary this summer. The announcement comes as the contest faces significant political fallout, with several countries boycotting the 2026 edition over Israel's involvement.
A Tour Celebrating Seven Decades of Music
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) confirmed the historic tour will take place in June and July. It will feature a line-up of "iconic Eurovision performers" alongside artists set to compete in the 2026 contest. The tour is billed as a major celebration of the contest's legacy and its vast global fan community.
Ten European cities, including London and Paris, will host events between 15 June and 2 July. The tour follows the 2026 contest final, scheduled for 16 May in Vienna. According to the EBU, artists will perform their own Eurovision entries as well as cover versions of classic songs from the contest's seven-decade history.
Political Tensions and Participant Boycotts
The celebratory plans are set against a backdrop of ongoing controversy. The decision to include Israel in the 2026 contest has led to a notable boycott. Five national broadcasters – from Ireland, Spain, Iceland, the Netherlands, and Slovenia – withdrew their participation in December.
This leaves just 35 countries set to take part next year, which the EBU notes is the smallest number since the contest's expansion in 2004. Irish broadcaster RTÉ explicitly cited "the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there" as its reason for pulling out.
The political climate has also seen high-profile figures distance themselves. Conchita Wurst, the 2014 winner, recently stated she would not take part in future Eurovision events. Furthermore, the 2024 winner, Nemo, returned their trophy in protest.
Contest Details and Divided Reactions
Israel's participation was confirmed following a semi-final draw on Monday, which placed the country in the first semi-final on 12 May. The Israeli broadcaster, Kan, has welcomed the EBU's decision, rejecting claims of political interference. Israel's President, Isaac Herzog, asserted that Israel "deserves to be represented on every stage around the world".
However, scrutiny remains. Some nations have accused Israel of manipulating the public vote during the 2025 contest in Switzerland. Meanwhile, the 2025 winner, Johannes 'JJ' Pietsch, initially called for an Austrian contest "without Israel" before apologising for the controversy his remarks caused.
Despite the political friction, the EBU reports a "record sellout of tickets" for the upcoming 2026 final after online sales launched. This contrasts with a noticeable drop in online viewership for the semi-final draw, which attracted only 97,000 YouTube viewers compared to over 240,000 the previous year.
The inaugural Eurovision tour represents a bold new chapter for the world's largest live music event, aiming to unite fans through music while navigating one of the most politically charged periods in its long history.
