Eurovision 2025’s flag policy – which sees artists only able to hold their own country’s flag inside the arena – has made some heads turn across the continent. But in the Netherlands, the rules have cooked up a storm. As a result, Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS has decided to appeal the recently announced flag policy.
A new flag policy came to light following an article on Danish broadcaster DR’s website, which said that the Faroese flag would not be allowed to be brought into the Green Room (Denmark’s Eurovision 2025 representative, Sissal, was born on the Faroe Islands). Essentially, Eurovision organisers at the EBU have decided that artists will only be allowed to bring their own country’s flag into the arena.
Rules for the audience are instead determined by the the host country. Switzerland is known as a nation that prioritises freedom of expression. As a result, the audience can bring any flag into the arena that Swiss authorities allow to be shown in public — including Pride flags and those of non-participating countries.
AVROTROS appeals Eurovision 2025 flag policy
Following the news about the new flag policy, Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS initially announced they agreed with the new rules. As they stated to the Dutch media:
“[Eurovision] is a non-political event. On official moments, you show the flag of your own country, that’s what has been communicated from the EBU.”
Later on, they added:
“[The new rules make it clear] for the audience which country will represent itself. We are saddened that symbols connected to inclusivity and freedom of expression, like the rainbow flag, have become part of this measure.”
LGBTQ+ interest organisation COC Nederland was negative about the policy, especially the part in which Pride flags — of all colours and shapes — would not be allowed in the Green Room and during the Flag Ceremony.
On Thursday, after a meeting between this interest organisation and AVROTROS — which also broadcasts Amsterdam’s famous Pride event — AVROTROS announced its decision to appeal the flag policy. They state that the change of heart was not solely due to the meeting.
In essence, AVROTROS will propose to the EBU that Pride flags should be allowed for all contestants.
It’s not the first time that a flag policy has led to some controversy.
In 2016, a flag policy intended for security officers leaked to the media. A few years later, only flags of participating countries were allowed in – which was also branded a “ban on pride flags”. Last year, security officers accidently confiscated several non-binary flags upon entry. This led to Nemo – a non-binary artist and eventual Eurovision winner – to smuggle this flag on stage and prominently show it to the TV audience.
Do you agree with this move? Do you think artists should be able to wave the Pride flag at Eurovision 2025? Let us know in the comments down below!
Lets allow the flag of the country you represent to be as normal, but all the additional ones like pride and ex colonies have a size limit so it doesnt overshadow the country one
I hate that a part of the fandom treats Eurovision as some sort of pre-Pride, but this rule is ridiculous!
One unfortunate matter is as long as EasyJet remains as an official airline sponsor, they can’t get away from it.
EBU and inconvenient sponsors, name a more iconic duo
Oblige to carry country flags, allow to carry pride flags additionally.
Problem solved.
Yesssssssss
ESC is literally a gay competition. No flags are needed. lol
Anyway, artists are representing their countries, which have their official flags. It’s only logical that they should only use that one and nothing else. No one is banning them from being gay, lesbian or whatever they want to be.
Why is this so hard to understand?
the ebu neves fails to impress me with their overcomplicated and nonsensical rules in the contest
“Don’t get too political…”
Right? Like this ruling itself isn’t inherently political.
audience Members are allowed to bring pride flags, it’s just the artists are restricted from using them, so they are not completely banned from the premises, but obviously I don’t agree with the new policy. Talking about throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
So NAPA can sing about how much they love Madeira, but they can’t show a Madeiran flag. Which, incidentally, is a lovely flag. That’s ridiculous. And the EBU could at least explain why they are coming up with the rulings.
This is the only way.
Because which will you permit and which forbidden.
To use another symbol is because an reason.
You think that course is a good one.
But someone else disagrees whit you.
So for this kind of statements is no place.
Like the fact that the song of Israel which was about the people killed by Hamas was forbidden.
It was an statement which some people it was obvious and other offensive.
So keep this out or make it an political happening.
If there are 5 competing artists this year who are openly and out as queer, what exactly are they trying to achieve by banning pride flags? The representation is there. The people who will be offended will be offended regardless. Who are you trying to protect the reputation of the contest from? Homophobes?
It’s about non-Eurovision-country flags in general.
What if next year some conservative come up with a flag for traditional family life, with a symbol of a father plus mother in a dress and children.
The rule is only for the artists btw, not for the audience.
The fact that Ostendahl didn’t resign (or got fired) after last year’s fiasco tells you everything you need to know about EBU’s management nowadays.
Good for AVROTROS once again taking on the EBU.
In 2024, they even took Dutch flags away from Dutch members of the audience.
It’a funny how EBU’s rules that try to make the competition less political, make it even more political.
IKR? Like, when you think it can’t get worse for the Contest, it gets worse and you have no clue if it’s going to survive anymore
The fact that EasyJet allowed drag queens but they won’t let to make them as an official sponsor again and as long as they remain as an official airline, it’s unappalling.
To be honest I really don’t care.I see why the EBU is trying to avoid any kind of controversary. I mean, where do you start and where do you draw the line? Pride flags ok, but any other national flag (faroer Island) not? If you allow any flag then somebody might use some flag that has any kind of politically charged message and boom – there is another controversary. So, by just using the official national flags you avoid any shitstorm, bullying, (dis)advantage.
I think they should let delegations decide what flags are appropriate instead of issuing a blanket statement like this. If use of regional flags in addition to national flags is controversial seperatist signaling in one country but a sign of unity in another, those deligations should get to be the ones to make the call for whether it is acceptable. The EBU should only restrict hate symbols. Nice and simple without overreaching like the current rule.
I am gay and I really don’t care
You are representing your country! YOUR COUNTRY
(Although to be honest I can’t see the reason of that decision)
Then you have no idea how dictatorships and totalitarian regimes work. Unlike Trump versus the LGBTQIA+ community in the USA they don’t take away your rights at once, but bit by bit, so by the time there are no rights left you already feel pretty used to it. It is playing on so called ‘learned helplessness’.
Moreover, I feel we need a more radical solidarity approach to minorities rather than the ‘doesn’t concern me so I don’t care’ approach that has led up to all recent developments in the first place
What if next year a conservative singer shows up on stage with a new flag that symbolizes traditional family life with father, mother in dress and children hand in hand?
Or a singer who happens to be from a farmer family, with a tractor farmer flag?
So? People can be proud of family and tractors without it being controversial. These things are not inherently in opposition to gay rights. This isn’t the gotcha you seem to think it is?
You must’ve injured yourself writing this.
This is a really interesting policy considering Eurovision is a competition between broadcasters, and not countries???
You are right ! Nice remark. EBU uses this argument to keep Israe l and prevent Russia to participate, because it’s the broadcasters behaviors that are in the spotlight. However, when it comes to the flag parade, ther’s no broadcaster logo but only country flags. Interesting even though I do understand why country flags are used obviously haha.
Despite this, which I didnt think of, I am still torn between “I don’t care if only participating countries falg are used” and “That is dumb to forbid identity flags”. What a touchy matter..
Agree with the second point
Agree with Nicomro, the broadcaster’s name is not mentioned when it comes to voting, only the country
The scoreboard says hi.
That’s why I think the EUB should stop the flag parade…
then we complain about strategic or political votes, NO. Artists should not carry flags other than those of their country.
They even banned Dutch flags from the audience in 2024 after the Netherlands was disqualified, despite the fact that there were still many Dutch fans present at the final, who were already having a bad day.
I saw Costa Rican flags in the final broadcast. That rule was stupid.
Agree. Not interested in artist’s “identity” or personal opinions. Representing their country, not themselves. Happy just the sings please. I feel their was a bully*ing vibe from a certain contingent last year.
Go Netherlands, I stand with you on this! That flag rule is pretty stupid, and it should be overturned by next contest
Israel can compete, but the Pride flags won’t be allowed. I believe it is time that someone says EBU loud that they can go …. themselves. I leave you complete the sentence.
Pride flags are still allowed at Eurovision, but only audience members can wave them. It’s the artists who are restricted to only wave their countries’ official flags, mind you, I don’t like it anymore than you do, but let’s not spread misinformation of a complete ban when it’s not the case at all.
How about no flags at all. Would make for a better viewing experience.
What the fcuk is wrong with the EBU recently?
WELCOME TO FUN WITH FLAGS!