In a disappointing turn of events for the global community of Eurofans, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has announced the postponement of the first-ever Eurovision Song Contest Live Tour. The tour, which was highly anticipated as a cornerstone of the 70th anniversary celebrations, has been delayed indefinitely due to what organisers describe as “unforeseen challenges” .
The decision, confirmed on Friday by Eurovision Director Martin Green, halts what would have been a historic 10-city arena tour across Europe . “We regret to announce that we’ve made the difficult decision to postpone the Eurovision Song Contest Live Tour 2026,” Green stated. “We have encountered unforeseen challenges that despite the best efforts of our team, the producers, and promoters we have been unable to resolve” .
A Dream Tour on Hold
The live tour was unveiled with great fanfare in January 2026 as a unique way to bring the magic of the world’s largest live music event directly to fans . Scheduled to run from mid-June to early July, the tour was set to visit major venues in London, Hamburg, Milan, Zurich, Antwerp, Cologne, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Paris, and Stockholm .
The concept promised a spectacular mix of nostalgia and modernity. Each concert was to feature a lineup of “Icons” from seven decades of Eurovision history, alongside 10 of the artists competing in the 2026 contest in Vienna . Fans were eagerly anticipating performances from a star-studded list of legends, including Ireland’s three-time winner Johnny Logan, Finland’s monster rockers Lordi, the UK’s 1997 victor Katrina, Greece’s Helena Paparizou, and Ukraine’s beloved Verka Serduchka .
Fan Frustration and Refunds
While the EBU has remained tight-lipped about the exact nature of the “unforeseen challenges,” the announcement has been met with a wave of reaction online. Some fans were quick to speculate that the decision may be linked to a backlash over ticket pricing. Following the postponement, social media platforms saw comments from disappointed ticket buyers who felt the costs were prohibitive. One fan posted on X, “Wonder if the ‘unforeseen challenges’ were the awful lineup and the £200 ticket prices,” while another commented, “We have encountered unforeseen challenges = no one bought the ridiculously overpriced tickets” .
For the thousands of fans who had already secured their tickets, the EBU has promised a swift and full refund. Martin Green assured that they would “ensure you will be refunded in full as soon as possible” . Despite the tour’s delay, the EBU has expressed its intention to “relaunch the Live Tour at a later date, once it can guarantee the world class experience that our fans expect” .
A Cloud Over the Anniversary
The postponement adds to a growing list of challenges for the song contest in its milestone year. The decision comes amidst heightened geopolitical tensions, with five countries—reportedly including Spain, Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands, and Slovenia—having withdrawn from the 2026 competition due to concerns over Israel’s participation amid the ongoing Gaza war .
Despite these setbacks, organisers are keen to focus on the main event. Martin Green confirmed that the core celebration remains on track: “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” .