Eurovision song contest to go on tour to celebrate 70th anniversary

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 2 min read 100% complete by Agence France-Presse in ViennaJanuary 15, 2026 at 07:04 PM

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To celebrate its 70th anniversary, the Eurovision Song Contest will launch its first-ever tour across ten European cities in June and July. The tour will feature past and present Eurovision artists performing their own entries and covers of iconic songs from the contest's history. This announcement comes amidst controversy surrounding Israel's participation, which has led to five countries withdrawing from the contest, resulting in the lowest number of participating countries since 2004. Broadcasters from Ireland, Spain, Iceland, the Netherlands, and Slovenia cited concerns over Israel's war in Gaza as reasons for their withdrawal. Despite the boycott, the Israeli broadcaster Kan welcomed the decision to keep Israel in the contest. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) reported a record sellout of tickets for the upcoming contest, despite a drop in viewership for the semi-final draw.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Nemo 30% Conchita Wurst 40% Vienna 40% Switzerland 40% Austria ×240% London 50% Paris 50% RTÉ ×260% European Broadcasting Union (EBU) ×370% Gaza ×280% Israel ×890% Eurovision Song Contest ×7100%

Keywords

eurovision song contest 100% israel 90% 70th anniversary 80% boycott 80% tour 70% war in gaza 70% european broadcasting union 60% music event 50% voting system 40% semi-final 40%