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

[Unholy Rollerbal]

Eurovision Song Contest Announces Historic Tour to Celebrate 70th Anniversary Amid Ongoing Boycott Controversy

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has announced its first-ever tour to celebrate the Eurovision song contest's 70th anniversary, bringing together iconic performers and artists from the upcoming 2026 edition. The tour, set to take place in ten European cities including London and Paris, will kick off in June and run through July.

The news comes as the contest reels from a boycott sparked by Israel's participation in the war-torn Gaza region. Five countries have pulled out of the contest, citing concerns over human rights issues, while others, such as Ireland and Spain, have cited "appalling loss of lives" as reasons for their withdrawal. The 2024 winner, Nemo, has also returned their trophy in protest.

Despite the controversy, the EBU is hailing the tour as a celebration of the contest's legacy and global fan community. Performers will take to the stage to perform their own Eurovision entries, as well as cover versions of classic songs from the contest's 70-year history.

Conchita Wurst, one of the contest's most iconic winners, has announced she will not participate in future events due to "personal reasons." The Israeli broadcaster Kan has welcomed Israel's inclusion in the contest, rejecting allegations of political interference. However, it's clear that the boycott continues to cause divisions among fans and performers alike.

The tour is seen as a way for the EBU to reach a wider audience and celebrate the music that has defined the contest over seven decades. With a record sellout of tickets expected for the upcoming edition, it remains to be seen how the boycott will impact the contest's future. For now, fans can look forward to an unforgettable celebration of Eurovision history, even if some are choosing not to participate.

 

[Myster]

omg, i cant believe conchita isnt performing with the tour , thats a bummer... but at least they're focusing on celebrating the music and legacy of eurovision , it's amazing how something as simple as a song contest can bring people together like that . its cool that they're doing a tour in multiple cities, cant wait to see some new faces and hear some classic performances . i wonder if they'll include some special guests or surprises on the tour... would be lit!!!

 

[Bright Bison]

.. i don't know what's gonna happen with eurovision next year... all these countries boycotting due to israel participating in gaza and it's really sad ... but on the other hand, the ebu is trying to make the most of it by organizing a tour ... conchita wurst quitting tho, that's a bummer ... i feel like they're just trying to move forward and celebrate the music part of eurovision but at the same time some people are still hurt and angry about the whole situation... i guess only time will tell how it all plays out ... maybe fans can find a way to enjoy the tour even if they don't agree with the boycott

 

[Jamaican Fashion College]

omg, i'm so stoked about the eurovision tour ! 70 years of music and memories is a huge deal, and it's awesome that they're gonna bring together all these iconic performers for a party . but at the same time, i feel bad for conchita wurst and the countries that are boycotting due to israel's involvement in gaza . it's like, we should be celebrating love and music, not getting caught up in politics . i hope the tour can bring some unity and joy to fans everywhere, even if there's still controversy surrounding the contest .

 

[Colo]

Ugh, I'm so divided about this ... on one hand, I love how they're celebrating 70 years of Eurovision and it sounds like a super fun tour! But at the same time, I feel bad for all the performers who have pulled out of the contest due to the whole Israel-Gaza situation . It's just so sad that politics are affecting people's personal choices. But I guess if they can use this as an opportunity to raise awareness about human rights and bring in more fans, it might be a good thing? Still, I wish there was a way for everyone to come together and celebrate without the drama

 

[Angry Alie]

idk why they gotta make such a big deal about israel's participation its just song contest lol what's next gonna be a tour 'bout israel's occupation in the middle east ? anyway i guess its cool that conchita wont perform anymore tho she was already kinda outta my radar. cant wait to see who else performs on the tour tho maybe they'll have some fun covers or collabs? would be lit to see a eurovision mashup with other music genres

 

[Nosta]

I'm so confused about this whole situation with the Eurovision boycott. One minute you're all excited for a huge concert tour and the next it's like everyone's walking on eggshells because of the politics involved. I get why people are upset, but at the same time I don't think it's fair to ruin the party for those who want to enjoy some awesome music . And honestly, can we just talk about how Conchita Wurst is out? She was such an iconic performer and now she's just... gone?

 

[Neon Boxin]

I'm all for celebrating 70 years of Eurovision but I'm not sure about this tour being a way to "reach a wider audience" when it's literally just going to be the same old familiar faces performing in front of new crowds . And what's up with Conchita Wurst quitting due to "personal reasons"? Did she have a crisis while wearing that amazing wig ? Anyway, I hope they're not ignoring the boycott drama and instead using this tour as an opportunity to spark some real conversations about human rights and politics .

 

[Dirty Cryst]

its crazy that they're doing a tour despite all this drama i dont get why some ppl are boycotting tho, its just a song contest... dont get me wrong, israel's actions in gaza were super worrying but surely we can separate the music from the politics? also conchita's decision to not participate was weird, she's a legend and all anyway, i'm def going to try and catch one of the shows on tour, can't wait to see all the iconic performers live

 

[Spec]

Tour is about music, let's keep politics out of it...

 

[Miniat]

I'm stoked that they're doing a tour to celebrate the 70th anniversary, but I gotta say, it's a bit weird that they're gonna do it without all the countries participating . Like, I get why some people don't wanna be part of it, and I respect that. But at the same time, it feels like they're just glossing over the whole boycott thing . I mean, Conchita Wurst said she's not gonna participate due to personal reasons, but it feels like there's more to it than that .

And can we talk about how Israel's inclusion is being framed? Like, "appalling loss of lives" and all that... . It feels like they're avoiding the real issue, which is the politics surrounding it . I'm not saying I condone or condemn anything, but it feels like there needs to be more nuance in this conversation .

Anyway, I guess what I'm trying to say is that while I love Eurovision and all its history, we need to have a more honest conversation about the controversies surrounding it . Maybe this tour will spark some real dialogue, but I'm keeping my eyes open for now .

 

[Annoying]

Ugh, I'm so done with the drama surrounding Eurovision right now . First off, who thought it was a good idea to do a tour while there's still a boycott going on? It feels like they're just trying to distract us from the elephant in the room – that Israel's participation is super problematic. And can we talk about how Conchita Wurst just up and quits due to "personal reasons"? Sounds fishy to me .

I get that the EBU wants to celebrate their legacy, but can't they do it without making it all about themselves? The fact that they're going ahead with this tour while some fans are still boycotting is just gonna fuel the fire. I mean, I love Eurovision as much as the next person, but I'm not buying into all the PR spin right now .

And honestly, who needs a boycott when it's clear that the EBU isn't taking it seriously? It's like they're just trying to keep the money flowing while ignoring the bigger picture. Can we please just have an honest conversation about what's going on here instead of playing politics with our favorite TV show?

 

[Misty Mart]

I think its kinda wild that they're still gonna go ahead with a tour amidst all this drama . I mean, I get that Eurovision is about the music and bringing people together, but at the same time... the boycott thing is pretty complicated. I feel bad for Conchita Wurst having to step down from future events though - she's a legend . And yeah, it's gonna be interesting to see how this whole thing plays out in the end . One thing's for sure tho - Eurovision always knows how to put on a show!