KAN announces a major change: a new set of regulations officially opens the song selection process for Eurovision 2026, following last year’s controversy and defining updated rules for Israel’s entry
In recent hours, Israel’s national broadcaster KAN has released official and updated details regarding the song selection process for Eurovision 2026. The broadcaster published an open call and revised regulations outlining who is eligible to participate, under what conditions, and how the song representing Israel will be selected for the Eurovision Song Contest, set to take place in Vienna, Austria.
The announcement comes as the selection process for Israel’s representative approaches a decisive stage. In approximately four months, the winner of “HaKokhav HaBa LaEurovision 2026” is expected to step onto Europe’s largest musical stage.
The song selection process for Eurovision 2026 underwent changes following the controversy surrounding last year’s selection, as well as public pressure directed at KAN to revise its procedures.
Revised Rules Based on External Recommendations
The newly published regulations were formulated based on recommendations by Yoav Ginai, Chairman of ACUM, who was appointed as an external consultant to accompany and shape the process. The purpose of the updated guidelines is to create an open and fair procedure, ensuring equal opportunity for all creators who meet the eligibility requirements, while clearly aiming to select the most suitable and highest-quality song for the competition.
Song submissions may be submitted until January 26th, 2026, in accordance with the regulations.
According to the published rules, any Israeli creator legally registered with ACUM may submit a song. In addition, the song’s creators must hold Israeli identification. The sole exception allows for the participation of one creator without Israeli identification, provided that this individual is not a lyricist. In practical terms, this means that all lyrics must be written exclusively by Israeli creators.
Language Requirements and Submission Limits
The Eurovision entry may be performed in any language; however, this year the song must include at least two sentences in Hebrew, ensuring that the language remains an integral part of the representative work.
Each creator may submit up to two songs. Writing lyrics, composing music, or arranging a song – each of these roles is considered participation in the song’s creation.
The full submission regulations and the official submission booklet for creators are available at the following link: KAN.org.il.
Anonymity Through AI Technology
As previously reported, one of the key principles established under the new regulations is full anonymity during the submission stage. Recordings submitted to the committee must not include the voice of any of the song’s creators, nor any other identifiable voice that could reveal the creators’ identities.
To ensure this, the use of AI technologies for vocal recordings is permitted, with the aim of enabling a professional selection process free from external considerations.
The Professional Selection Committee
Once submissions close, a professional committee composed of content and music professionals from the national broadcaster – individuals with musical and television experience – alongside observers, will convene. The committee will listen to all submitted songs and initially select up to approximately 40 entries.
The committee responsible for selecting the song will include five members:
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Chair of the committee – the head of the broadcaster’s music stations or a professional representative on their behalf
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Two music editors from the radio sector
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Two representatives from the television sector, including the head of the entertainment and culture department and an additional representative
In the second stage, the selected songs will be reviewed by a final decision-making committee, which will include, in addition to the professional committee, one representative from Keshet, the broadcaster airing “HaKokhav HaBa LaEurovision”. Together, the committee will select the song representing Israel at Eurovision 2026.
Recording Stage and Final Selection
The committee may choose several standout songs from the second stage and proceed to record them with the voice of the selected artist. From these recordings, the final song will be chosen through an internal vote by the committee members.
At the same time, the committee may request changes, revisions, or improvements to the songs, which will be implemented during the recording stage.
What If No Suitable Song Is Found?
If the committee determines that none of the submitted songs is suitable to represent Israel, it may, “at its professional discretion”, take additional steps, including:
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Publishing a new open call to the public
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Directly approaching creators who did not previously participate
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Requesting additional submissions from existing creators
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Selecting songs from the ACUM catalog published after September 1st, 2025
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Reviewing songs previously submitted to the broadcaster between Eurovision 2023-2025, subject to EBU regulations
According to the regulations, if no suitable song is found, the committee may issue a new public call for submissions, select a song publicly released after September 1st, or choose a song from other submissions made to the broadcaster for Eurovision participation between 2022 and 2024.
Israel at Eurovision 2025
“New Day Will Rise” is the song performed by Yuval Raphael, who was chosen to represent Israel after winning the 11th season of “HaKokhav HaBa”. Israel advanced to the final after winning the second semi-final with 203 points and finished second overall with 357 points in the grand final. Israel ranked first in the public vote but only 14th with the jury. This marks the third consecutive year that Israel has reached the top five – an unprecedented achievement.
Eurovision 2026: This will be Israel’s 48th participation in Eurovision. Israel joined the contest in 1973 and has won four times. Its most recent victory was at Eurovision 2018 with the song “Toy”, performed by singer Netta Barzilai.
