Finland Places Its Bet on Eurovision 2026 as Yle Backs the New EBU Reforms

Finland is edging firmly towards Eurovision 2026 after Yle signalled that, yes, barring any last-minute earthquakes, the country is preparing to take part in next year’s contest in Vienna. The decision comes after the EBU’s General Assembly in Geneva, where broadcasters spent the better part of the day dissecting how to keep Eurovision from sliding into a political tug-of-war.

What swayed Finland wasn’t a grand speech or a dramatic vote, but the set of reforms the EBU managed to push through, aimed at tightening voting security and restoring a bit of trust in the whole system.

Nordic broadcasters close ranks

Representing Yle, CEO Marit af Björkesten backed the reforms without much hesitation. Her message was simple enough: the event needed fixing, and this is at least a start.

She described the changes as necessary “to maintain the contest’s credibility and independence”, a sentiment echoed by Yle’s Nordic counterparts. Sweden, Denmark and Norway all voted in the same direction, forming a quiet bloc of broadcasters determined not to abandon the show just yet.

The assembly avoids the biggest question on the table

One thing the broadcasters didn’t vote on was Israel’s participation. Several countries had pushed for a secret ballot, but the matter never reached that point.

Af Björkesten kept her position measured: broadcasters that meet the EBU’s criteria “may participate”, and if they don’t, the EBU leadership should intervene. No fireworks, but the implication was there.

Finland’s conditions appear to be met

Before giving the green light internally, Yle had set a few conditions of its own. After the discussions in Geneva, the broadcaster says those conditions have been met well enough for Finland to continue preparing for Vienna.

Still, Yle stressed that this isn’t a “fix it and forget it” situation. The reforms will need to be monitored closely, especially once the contest machinery starts moving again.

On to Vienna, at least from Helsinki’s side

Austria will host Eurovision from 12 to 16 May, and for now Finland is part of the line-up.
That alone is notable in a year when several countries have already walked away from the event entirely.

While Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands and Slovenia have pulled out, Finland is choosing to stay. Not because the situation around Eurovision has suddenly become simple, but because Yle believes the reforms give the contest a fighting chance to stay independent.

It’s not exactly a triumphant fanfare, but it is a clear decision:
Finland intends to show up in Vienna.

Source: YLE