The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has officially postponed the inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Live Tour, originally scheduled to commemorate the competition’s 70th anniversary in 2026. Martin Green, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, confirmed the disappointing development on Friday, citing ‘unforeseen circumstances’ that ultimately forced this difficult operational decision.
The tour was initially announced last month with ambitious plans to visit 10 European countries throughout summer 2026. The production was set to commence at London’s renowned O2 Arena on June 15th, featuring iconic past contestants including Johnny Logan, Katrina, Lordi, and Verka Serduchka alongside 10 of the top entrants from the upcoming 2025 competition.
Green expressed profound regret regarding the postponement, acknowledging the disappointment this would cause dedicated Eurovision enthusiasts. ‘We have encountered unforeseen challenges that despite the best efforts of our team, the producers, and promoters we have been unable to resolve,’ Green stated in his official announcement. The EBU has committed to processing full refunds for all purchased tickets promptly.
Despite this setback, Green emphasized that the organization remains fully committed to ‘relaunching the live tour once we can ensure the world-class experience that our fans expect.’ The EBU’s immediate focus now shifts to delivering an exceptional Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria on May 16th, 2026.
This development occurs against a backdrop of recent controversies surrounding the competition. Last December witnessed several countries including Iceland, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and Netherlands announcing potential boycotts of the 2026 event. These decisions stemmed from disputes regarding Israel’s participation amid the Gaza conflict and allegations of unfair voting practices. In response, the EBU implemented stricter voting regulations to reduce governmental influence on results, with majority member support allowing Israel’s continued involvement.