London, UK – The Eurovision Song Contest announced new rules for host countries on August 12, 2026 and parted ways with its main sponsor, Israeli beauty company Moroccanoil, announced the following day.
The European Broadcasting Union, which organises the song contest, confirmed to New York Times reporter Alex Walker that Moroccanoil, the contest’s sponsor for the past six years, had chosen not to renew their sponsorship.
“We wish Moroccanoil every success for the future,” the EBU told Walker.
Despite its name, Moroccanoil is an Israeli haircare company that provides hairstylists to participating artists at Eurovision. The partnership began in 2019, the year the contest was held in Tel Aviv.
The company has been targeted by Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaigners due to its origins and continued operations in Israel.
The reason for Moroccanoil’s departure is currently undisclosed, but comes on the heels of a rule change which likely prevents Israel from hosting Eurovision.
New hosting restrictions
After a direct vote to remove Israel for the 2026 edition failed to materialise due to intense lobbying, the broadcasters from Spain, Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands, and Slovenia withdrew from the competition and scheduled alternative programming on their channels, citing the concern over the genocide in Gaza.
Following the pressure of this five-country boycott, the EBU announced that the contest cannot be hosted by countries at war or engaged in serious geopolitical conflicts.
“The winning broadcaster will automatically be ineligible to host the contest if an armed conflict, a sensitive geopolitical situation, or any other situation materially affects the security, safety or stability of their state or immediate region,” an EBU press release read.
Eurovision is typically hosted by the country that won in the previous year. Eurovision 2027 is set to take place in Burgas, Bulgaria, after singer DARA claimed victory in Vienna last May.
Read more: Bulgaria makes history at Eurovision 2026: DARA’s Bangaranga sweeps jury, public vote
Under the new rule, the EBU will conduct an “independent security assessment” of a potential host’s region, and find an alternative host broadcaster if necessary. This was done in 2023, when the contest was hosted by the BBC in Liverpool due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
This new rule means that Israel and its public broadcaster KAN will be unlikely to be eligible to host Eurovision if the country wins.
Growing calls
Since October 2023, Eurovision has faced calls from fans and artists to remove Israel from the contest given that the state is widely viewed to be engaging in genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. In 2022, Russia was removed from the contest following its invasion of Ukraine.
The EBU has also announced other rule changes, including raising the age limit for performing artists from 16 to 18 and clarifying criteria for backing tracks supporting live performances.
Martin Green CBE, director of the contest, said that the rule changes were guided by feedback from member broadcasters.
“These changes are about giving everyone involved greater clarity, protecting artists and ensuring the Contest continues to provide a safe and welcoming environment, while preserving the spirit and integrity that make the Eurovision Song Contest so special,” he stated.
Eurovision 2027 will take place from May 12 to 15 in the Bulgarian city of Burgas.
Featured image: Eurovision via Facebook
