The EBU has announced this morning that all member nations will be able to bid to host the Eurovision Song Contest from 2019. That would mean an end to the custom that the winning nation is automatically entitled to host the contest the following year. 

Speaking in a press release this morning, EBU Executive Supervisor Jon Ola Sand said:

We’re committed to making the Eurovision Song Contest as inclusive a competition as possible, as we’ve demonstrated with the inclusion of Australia since 2015. A common concern for smaller states is the expense of hosting the modern contest, so we have decided that from 2019 all nations will be able to bid to host the contest. This also allows larger broadcasters with extensive resources to build bridges across Europe and share the Eurovision moment around the world.  We have already had a positive response from microstate broadcasters including TMC and RTVA.” 

He added that the move has been inspired by international sporting events like the FIFA World Cup:

Competitions like the FIFA World Cup look past size and politics to choose the host country for their events. We want to embrace the same open and transparent approach to host selection. This is also a return to the contest’s early history, where the winning the contest did not entail hosting it the next year.” 

Despite only winning the contest five times, the United Kingdom has hosted more times than anyone else, and staged the contest six times between 1960 and 1977. It frequently stepped in to host on behalf of smaller nations like Monaco, so the move is likely to open the door for the BBC to host again in the future. This also mirrors the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, where Belarus will host the contest this year despite Russia winning in 2017.

As well as Monaco and Andorra, the EBU has revealed that Luxembourg has expressed an interest in returning to the contest in 2019. A wiwibloggs source at RTL has suggested Corinne Hermès is the broadcaster’s preferred choice, which would explain her guest appearance at the London Eurovision Party on April 5.

What do you think of the change? Are you excited your country could host the contest? Let us know in the comments below!

UPDATE, 12:00pm: Yes, this is an April Fool’s Day joke. The host country for 2019 will still be the winner of Eurovision 2018. But who knows what’s in store for 2020…

GET MORE EUROVISION NEWS HERE

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Aron Oliva
Aron Oliva
5 years ago

hopefully univision will broadcast next year’s contest

Damian Hodges
Damian Hodges
5 years ago

I think its a good idea but only if the winners are given first preference in hosting.

mynameiswhat
mynameiswhat
5 years ago
Reply to  Damian Hodges

i agree

AurelianTamisan
AurelianTamisan
5 years ago

The idea would be great, if they still give credit to the winning nation and it is applied if that nation refuses to host the contest. It would also maybe stop the jurors a little in killing good songs from smaller countries just because EBU is afraid they could win and not have the conditions to host. So the joke could still open at least a discussion between EBU members.

Aaron
Aaron
5 years ago

Joking aside its not a bad idea in theory, what with all the drama surrounding Ukraines hosting last year.

In theory we say each competing member state have the opportunity to put in a bid and then each HOD votes on their choice

beccaboo1212
5 years ago

I don’t know. Do you think this will work? 😮

beccaboo1212
5 years ago
Reply to  beccaboo1212

*UPDATE* Ok, never mind. This was only an April Fool’s Day joke. The host country for next year will still be this year’s winner. 🙂 I was a little confused at first. 😮

TheDrMistery
TheDrMistery
5 years ago

That was nicely done!

Denis
Denis
5 years ago

The joke fails because April’s Fools are meant to actually be plausible. This is so far not plausible.

alpha
alpha
5 years ago

So this was the opposite of funny…

poison
poison
5 years ago
Reply to  alpha

Is there such a thing as a funny April Fool’s joke? They seem to either be completely lame or completely mean. Neither of which is funny.

redfox
redfox
5 years ago
Reply to  alpha

april fools is not meant to be funny. It is meant to fool, aka get someone hooked to the story you tell. It can be totally unfunny, more like “Crap, why did I fall for this?!”

ruseneca
ruseneca
5 years ago

HAPPY 1ST APRIL, WIWISSSS

Greek Fan
Greek Fan
5 years ago

But it is too good to be true…:(

Greek Fan
Greek Fan
5 years ago

THANK GODDD!!!!It was about time that the curse that you must host such an expensive event in your country when you win ends now!

ShaneGermaney
ShaneGermaney
5 years ago

Completely fell for this and was really angry about it! Haha well done Wiwibloggs!

CookyMpnzta
CookyMpnzta
5 years ago
Reply to  ShaneGermaney

No harm done. But imagine if it were real. Countries which have always had very little to no chance of ever winning would either send a trainwreck or not even bother to show up; and real contenders would be extremely hesitant to go all-out in trying to win this thing, knowing that they would not automatically get to host the next one. ESC in crisis mode would be half the story if this were real.

Good joke, though, but not as funny as one might think.

John James Dickie
John James Dickie
5 years ago
Reply to  CookyMpnzta

Surely the opposite is true?

Many countries don’t want to win because of the expense and hassle of having to host the following year so they send a crap song. If the worry of having to host the thing was removed they could breath a sigh of relief and send a song that could win.

Then only those who really feel that they want to host need to bid.

bnm
bnm
5 years ago

i heard that san marino is supposed to be a first organizer in 2019!!!

Jimmy
Jimmy
5 years ago

Well, allegedly, the running order was appointed yesterday and based on the information of one of the most known Polish Eurovision pages (actually, the only one xd), Poland is set to perform 10th in the second semifinal and Gromee starts his rehearsal on 2nd of May, but it’s not confirmed yet 🙂

Radiologistology
Radiologistology
5 years ago
Reply to  Jimmy

Link?

Jimmy
Jimmy
5 years ago

Alright, it turned out to be a joke, what a moron am I…

Leglaude
Leglaude
5 years ago

On April 1st 2003 one of the April fool’s jokes about Eurovision was : Australia will take part to Eurovision next year ! Well it did only happen 11 years later.Todays wiwibloggs “news” is not soo irrealistic as the Eurovision has become bigger and bigger, but that the winner hosts next year is so iconic form the contest that it would be difficult to break with this habit. May be it would be a good idea that the winner hosts the contest not the year after but two years after to give more time to organize such a big event… Read more »

NoGeoblocks
NoGeoblocks
5 years ago

Next year please do a fake “Running Order Revealed” type of item.
That’ll freak people out 🙂

Happy April!

Stephanie
5 years ago

LOL, nice one! April Fool’s! 🙂

Joe
Joe
5 years ago

I have fortunately taken every article with major news today with a grain of salt given the date. While not a terrible idea, I know it ain’t happening. (Also, Monaco couldn’t even host when they actually won).

R
R
5 years ago

We had a monkey in 2017, chickens and camels in 2018, why not horses in 2019? :p 😎

L'oiseau
5 years ago

LOL
Oh my God! I really believed that!!!… Thanks Wiwi for the funny article!

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
5 years ago

If this were true, it would have been the most boneheaded idea yet that Jon Ola Sand had put forth. It would have erased all incentive for any one to win. We would have easily seen over a dozen Dustin the Turkey-style performers and performances out there.

thespb01
thespb01
5 years ago
Reply to  CookyMonzta

But it’s not, so there’s no need to melodramatically moan.

Music is art+vibs
Music is art+vibs
5 years ago

But would remove importance to winning in favour of simply participating…. That would be positive. Less national issues and national pride in favour of diversity.

Music is art+vibs
Music is art+vibs
5 years ago

False bit l but amazing proposal to EBU. All could organize the event when they can afford it, Lux, And and Mon would be back and could include further cultural diversity such as CAT, SCO and COR!

Jack
Jack
5 years ago

OMG, I just was having a heart attack. Thank god it is not true 🙂

Tomás davitt
Tomás davitt
5 years ago

Omg cruel!!!! I was so excited about this! Especially lux, mon and Andorra coming back.

Mari(o)Vision
Mari(o)Vision
5 years ago

Oh you got me too b*tches 😛
Every year the same…
Can’t believe how believable the April’s Fool news articles of WB are!

M_K
M_K
5 years ago

You really got me! Very, very well written April Fool’s joke!

Nika
Nika
5 years ago

Dear WIWI, there is one “small” thing today that is not a joke. And it is Rusiia’s Sergey Lazarev 35th birthday. And his new English alboom has been released today just accidentally. I am sure you are preparing some good article after having ignored his Russian album and some other interesting events))

Mae
Mae
5 years ago

Why?! You can’t do this to me! Oh dear, my heart …!

thespb01
thespb01
5 years ago
Reply to  Mae

Look at the date, honey.

LEO ESC AUT
LEO ESC AUT
5 years ago

off Topic = WOW !!! 3. Votes from INFE* Romania INFE * *(International Network of Fan Clubs of Eurovision) In total, members from all 24 clubs will be casting their votes and deciding their favourite entries in the second annual INFE Poll, with the final outcome of the results set to be unveiled on the 22 April. 1 point goes to Denmark 2 points go to Sweden 3 points go to Greece 4 points go to Estonia 5 points go to Ukraine 6 points go to France 7 points go to Austria 8 points go to… Belgium 10 points go… Read more »

The Orinoco Child
The Orinoco Child
5 years ago

Is the part about Monaco Andorra and Luxembourg returning true at least? That would be exciting!

Eurovision Now’
5 years ago

A tear rolled down my cheek and my heart started beating way too fast.. AHHHH. Good one…
Really good:D

LEO ESC AUT
LEO ESC AUT
5 years ago

off topic = WOW !!! Here are the first 2 x results of INFE * *(International Network of Fan Clubs of Eurovision) 1. Votes from INFE Belarus 1 point goes to Denmark 2 points go to the Czech Republic 3 points go to Estonia 4 points go to Austria 5 points go to Israel 6 points go to Belgium 7 points go to Bulgaria 8 points go to… Germany 10 points go to… Ukraine And 12 points go to… France! 2. Votes from INFE Ukraine 1 point goes to Lithuania 2 points go to Ireland 3 points go to Switzerland… Read more »

LEO ESC AUT
LEO ESC AUT
5 years ago
Reply to  LEO ESC AUT

INFE *
*(International Network of Fan Clubs of Eurovision)
In total, members from all 24 clubs will be casting their votes and deciding their favourite entries in the second annual INFE Poll, with the final outcome of the results set to be unveiled on the 22 April.

basil52
basil52
5 years ago

Thanks a lot, Wiwi, you nearly gave me a heart attack.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
5 years ago

Is there really any need?

thespb01
thespb01
5 years ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

Look at the date, honey.

xdlsd
xdlsd
5 years ago

I immediately texted my friend and felt a bit of an anger towards the EBU. Almost had an heart attack 😀

Sbenckcjenenk
Sbenckcjenenk
5 years ago

I’M ALMOST CRYING THIS IS AN APRIL FOOLS JOKE, CAUSE THE EBU ACTUALLY REALLY NEEDS TO DO THIS, I AM DREAMING FOR THIS TO HAPPEN FOR YEARS!

Mark
Mark
5 years ago
Reply to  Sbenckcjenenk

It would be the worst thing for them to do. Why model yourself after an organisation that has been flooded with claims and evidence of corruption?

Jai
Jai
5 years ago
Reply to  Mark

I agree the Olympics and FIFA do this but there is an ongoing investigation into FIFA corruption and there have been allegations about IOC corruption for years. Very few cities bid to host the Olympics for the upcoming years because they didn’t want to go through the very expensive (and corrupt) bidding process. To add a bidding process to the contest would only bring corruption

Poet
Poet
5 years ago

Ha ha! A good one.

I actually believed in it and that made me not too happy. This is what makes Eurovision special.

Fast Food Music Lover
Fast Food Music Lover
5 years ago

Yes! Finally a decision from EBU that I can get behind!

Fast Food Music Lover
Fast Food Music Lover
5 years ago

OK, just read the comments. I feel so stupid right now lol.

Jo
Jo
5 years ago

Israelí Fans are so selfish and stubborn

Mor
Mor
5 years ago
Reply to  Jo

Jo And the haters of Israel are racist, antisemitic and Jealous.

Malin
Malin
5 years ago
Reply to  Jo

What? Do you call your self an escfan? Then think about the values of esc please. The fans from Israel are not all the same. I’m from sweden. Som of us can’t behave. That doesn’t mean that all swedish fans are like that. Be respectfull plesase.

Love, love, peace, peace from Sweden

Mor
Mor
5 years ago
Reply to  Malin

@Malin thank you from Israel 🙂

Belle
Belle
5 years ago

He he, for a moment I thought this was true. I’m happy it’s not true. The winner should host next year’s contest.

Gorilla716
Gorilla716
5 years ago

Obviously this is an April Fools joke but I kinda wish it was true because it would avoid any hosting difficulties and any drama such as what happened last year with Ukraine and Russia. I’m pretty sure the EBU would have preferred that Ukraine had not hosted last year’s contest.

West
West
5 years ago
Reply to  Gorilla716

I agree – I mean aren’t they doing this already with JESC?

Mark
Mark
5 years ago
Reply to  West

It would make the contest not as interesting if the winner doesn’t get to host.

Stan
Stan
5 years ago

What is Anne Marie actually saying in that interview?

LoveWave
LoveWave
5 years ago

HOLY ANGUS!

Ariel
Ariel
5 years ago

DAMN YOU ANGUS!

James
James
5 years ago

I forgot it both Easter Sunday and, April Fools.

Well made article, Angus. Haha

esc1234
esc1234
5 years ago

Good joke, what scares me is those euroqueens who would love that, in order to have extra drama every year.

Luke
Luke
5 years ago

Omg this got me good… well played. Well played.

Wim
Wim
5 years ago

Very good joke for the 1st of April

script
script
5 years ago

Everybody wants to win and has the option to decline the invitation to host next year. For winner there’s no pressure to host, is just the first invited to host, but it can refuse. This is enough options. I’m curious when will we find out it was a joke.