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 Rules to Curb Campaigning
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 EBU aims to level the playing field and ensure that votes reflect genuine audience preference rather than external influence.
Expanded Juries and Age Diversity
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. A requirement for two jurors aged between 18 and 25 has been introduced to better represent younger audiences and their musical tastes.
Technical Safeguards
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. These measures include advanced monitoring systems and verification processes to detect and block irregular voting patterns.
In full, the 2026 Eurovision voting system represents a significant overhaul designed to modernize the contest, increase transparency, and maintain the excitement that has made it a global phenomenon. Fans can expect a more secure and equitable process when casting their votes for their favourite acts.
