The Eurovision 2026 Live Tour has been cancelled just weeks after its launch, after fans blasted ticket prices amid the song contest's 'most serious crisis ever' following a growing boycott by several countries.
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On Friday, European Broadcasting Union (EBU) officials confirmed the live tour has been postponed, with all ticket holders set to receive full refunds.
The arena spectacular, announced only last month, had been scheduled to visit 10 countries across Europe this summer, kicking off at London's O2 Arena on June 15.
Martin Green, director of the famous song contest, said in a statement: 'The European Broadcasting Union regrets to announce that we've made the difficult decision to postpone the Eurovision Song Contest Live Tour 2026.
'We have encountered unforeseen challenges that despite the best efforts of our team, the producers, and promoters we have been unable to resolve. To the thousands of fans who bought tickets, thank you, we will ensure you will be refunded in full as soon as possible. We look forward to relaunching the Live Tour when we can ensure the world class experience that our fans expect.
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'Our focus remains on delivering an incredible Eurovision Song Contest in May. The 70th anniversary shows will be celebrated with 35 amazing artists performing to record sell-out audiences in Vienna and hundreds of millions watching around the world.'
The Eurovision 2026 Live Tour has been cancelled just weeks after its launch, after fans blasted ticket prices amid the song contest's 'most serious crisis ever' following a growing boycott by several countries
On Friday, European Broadcasting Union (EBU) officials confirmed the live tour has been postponed, with all ticket holders set to receive full refunds (Winner of the Eurovision Song Contest JJ from Austria pictured)
Daily Mail has contacted the BBC for comment.
In December, the Daily Mail revealed the contest is facing its most serious crisis in Eurovision history, as more countries considered joining Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and Slovenia in boycotting the event.
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It comes after several public broadcasters pulled out of this year's competition after organisers decided to allow Israel to compete, putting political discord on centre stage over a usually joyful celebration of music.
It was previously reported on December 5 that Belgium's broadcaster said it would 'take a position in the coming days', while Iceland's RÚV said it would not make a final decision on its participation until the following week.
As of February 2026, Belgium is set to compete in the Song Contest, while Iceland has since withdrawn.
The walkouts came after the general assembly of the European Broadcasting Union - a group of public broadcasters from 56 countries that runs the glitzy annual event - met to discuss concerns about Israel's participation, which some countries oppose over its conduct of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
At the meeting, EBU members voted to adopt tougher contest voting rules in response to allegations that Israel manipulated the vote in favor of their contestants, but took no action to exclude any broadcaster from the competition.
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The feel-good pop music gala that draws more than 100 million viewers every year has been roiled by the war in Gaza for the past two years, stirring protests outside the venues and forcing organisers to clamp down on political flag-waving.
The arena spectacular, announced only last month, had been scheduled to visit 10 countries across Europe this summer, kicking off at London's O2 Arena on June 15 (British group Remember Monday pictured)
'It's a historic moment for the European Broadcasting Union. This is certainly one of the most serious crises that the organisation has ever faced,' said Eurovision expert Dean Vuletic.
'Next year, we're going to see the biggest political boycott of Eurovision ever.'
Vuletic, author of 'Postwar Europe and the Eurovision Song Contest,' predicted 'tense' weeks and months ahead as other countries contemplate joining the walkout and protests set to overshadow the contest's 70th anniversary in Vienna in May.
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Last week, the Eurovision Live Tour pre-sale began, with fans taking to social media platform Reddit to complain that ticket prices were too expensive.
Several also claimed the prices did not match what they described as a 'mid lineup'.
One wrote: 'I was initially a little unhappy with the prices (for London). But then, when I found something I could afford, it told me that I couldn't buy only one ticket; I had to buy two at once! So I didn't get anything. I was really hoping this could be something for fans who can't afford to travel to another country every year, but I guess not. :('
Another added: 'These prices for such a mid lineup?'; 'Same prices here (Belgium). Too expensive for me.'; 'Too expensive I am really curious whether they’ll be able to fill all arenas.'
Prior to the tour's cancellation, seated and standing tickets ranged from £68 to £305 depending on the venue and seat location.
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