The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) could be bringing in changes to the Eurovision voting system. It is reported that changes may be made ahead of the 2027 Contest, due to be held in Burgas.
Possible changes to voting systems
Swedish media outlet AFTONBLADET has revealed a letter sent to Eurovision participating broadcasters. The letter is signed by EBU Chief Executive Jean Phillip De Tender and Eurovision Reference Group Chair Ana Maria Bordas. The pair suggest the EBU is investigating possible changes to the way public voting works for the Song Contest.
The potential changes being looked into include moving the public vote entirely online and requiring people to vote for more than one country. Bordas and De Tender say:
Our research points towards two changes: moving the public vote entirely online and requiring people to vote for more than one entry, for example their three favourites. This work is already underway, with the hope of having in ready by 2027. We believe that these changes will increase engagement and the willingness to vote and help dilute the effect of mobilised bloc voting, without compromising fairness or trust.
In a further statement given to James Stephenson and ESC Insight, the EBU say they can confirm that they “have begun investigating a move to wholly online audience voting for the Eurovision Song Contest and more details will be announced in the months ahead”. They have yet to respond to claims that they are looking into requiring people to vote for more than one country.
This latest news from the Eurovision organisers comes just days after changes were revealed to the 2027 Rules of Contest. Changes to the eligibility of a country to host the contest following a win, as well as raising the minimum age and clarifying the rules on live vocals were revealed earlier this week.
The Journey to Eurovision 2027 so far
The journey to the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest kicked off immediately following DARA’s win in Vienna. Bulgaria’s BNT accepted the rights to host the 71st edition of the contest. Currently, very little is known about the plans for next year’s Contest. Four cities expressed their interest in hosting Eurovision 2027, with Burgas and Sofia being shortlisted. This week, Burgas was announced as the host city.
As for the organisation of the competition, the Bulgarian government stepped in to create an organising committee, which was revealed at the end of May 2026. Further details about next year’s competition are to be revealed in due course.
What do you think about the proposed changes to the Eurovision public vote? Let us know your thoughts on social media and follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, Bluesky, and ZOOP for more information on Eurovision 2027!
News source : EBU / AFTONBLADET / James Stephenson
Image credits : Corinne Cummings/EBU
Rory Gannon