The highly anticipated Eurovision Song Contest Live Tour 2026 has been postponed, officials from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) confirmed on Friday.
Planned Tour Halted
Announced just last month, the inaugural live tour was set to visit 10 countries across Europe this summer, beginning at London’s O2 Arena on June 15. The event was designed to celebrate Eurovision’s 70th anniversary, featuring past winners and fan favorites alongside current contestants.
However, Martin Green, director of the contest, said “unforeseen circumstances” forced organizers to shelve the tour. “We regret to announce that we’ve made the difficult decision to postpone the Eurovision Song Contest Live Tour 2026,” he explained. “Despite the best efforts of our team, producers, and promoters, we have been unable to resolve these challenges.”
Refunds and Future Plans
Green assured fans that all ticket holders will receive full refunds. He also emphasized that the EBU intends to relaunch the tour once organizers can guarantee the “world-class experience” Eurovision audiences expect.
“Our focus remains on delivering an incredible Eurovision Song Contest in May,” he added. The 2026 contest will be held in Vienna, Austria, on May 16.
Who Was Set to Perform
The tour was expected to feature iconic Eurovision performers including Johnny Logan, Katrina, Lordi, and Verka Serduchka. Ten of this year’s entrants were also scheduled to join the lineup, making the event a blend of nostalgia and fresh talent.
Eurovision’s Ongoing Challenges
The postponement comes during a turbulent period for Eurovision. Last December, Iceland joined Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands in boycotting the 2026 contest over Israel’s participation and alleged voting irregularities. In response, the EBU introduced reforms to limit government influence on voting while allowing Israel to remain in the competition. Despite the controversy, Austria’s JJ, who triumphed in Basel at Eurovision 2025, is expected to return as a major figure in this year’s contest.
Looking Ahead
While the tour’s delay is disappointing for fans, Eurovision organizers remain committed to staging a memorable contest in Vienna. The live tour may yet return in the future, but for now, all eyes are on May’s main event.
