Rules of the Eurovision Song Contest

Lore & Background

The rules are drafted by the EBU and approved by the contest's reference group, which serves as the executive committee on behalf of all participating broadcasters. The reference group includes a chairperson, three elected heads of delegation, executive producers of the upcoming and two previous contests, and up to two invited members. The chairperson is elected from among high-ranking personnel of member broadcasters for a two-year term.

Song eligibility rules restrict commercial release dates, typically set as September 1 of the year before the contest, though this has varied historically. No song may exceed three minutes in duration, a rule enacted after the 1957 Italian entry lasted 5:09 minutes. Songs are no longer barred from release in other countries before the final, and are promoted via official Eurovision platforms.

Voting rules require each country to provide two sets of points (1-8, 10, 12) from public televote and a five-member professional jury. Semi-final qualifiers are determined solely by public vote. The contest is non-profit, financed by participation fees, host broadcaster and city contributions, sponsorships, ticket sales, televoting revenues, and merchandise.

Reader's Guide

The rules of the Eurovision Song Contest are foundational to the event's integrity and fairness, shaping every aspect from song selection to winner determination. They ensure a level playing field by setting eligibility criteria, such as the three-minute song limit and release date restrictions, preventing any entry from gaining an unfair advantage. The voting system, combining public and jury votes, balances popular appeal with professional judgment, while semi-final qualification by public vote alone maintains audience engagement. The reference group's oversight and the executive supervisor's enforcement of rules guarantee consistent application across editions. These rules have evolved since 1956, adapting to technological changes like internet streaming and the introduction of the semi-final format in 2008. By standardizing procedures—from delegation sizes to scrutineer roles—the rules enable a complex international broadcast to run smoothly, preserving the contest's non-profit ethos and global reach. Their significance lies in maintaining the contest's credibility and competitive spirit across decades of cultural and political change.

Did You Know?

• The three-minute song duration limit was implemented after the 1957 Italian entry lasted 5:09 minutes.
• Semi-final qualifiers are determined solely by the public vote, while the final combines public and jury votes.
• The 'Big Five' (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom) receive an automatic berth in the final as the contest's biggest financial contributors.
• The executive supervisor role was abolished ahead of the 2026 contest and replaced with an executive producer role.