There will be major changes to the voting system at the Eurovision Song Contest from and including 2023, reports EBU.

In a press release, the EBU announced two major changes to the Eurovision voting system from next year.

Since 2009, the votes of expert judges and spectators count equally in the decision on which participating country should secure a place in the Eurovision semi-finals.

First time in history

From 2023, the public will have more power, as only their votes count for semi-final qualification.

For the first time in history, audiences in countries not participating in the competition also got the chance to vote for their favorite song. Votes will be added to points that weigh the same as countries participating in the competition, the EBU explains on its page.

Changes apply to major ESC semifinals and finals.

– Throughout its 67 year history, the Eurovision Song Contest has evolved in step with the world and has managed to remain exciting and relevant. This change is to acknowledge the competition’s immense popularity and to give more power to the audience of the world’s largest live music festival, said competition director ESC Martin Österdahl in a press release.

Moved to Liverpool

However, when the winner will be chosen during the Eurovision 2023 grand final in Liverpool, voting will be carried out in the same manner as before, by votes from the public and a professional jury.

As Eurovision 2022 winners, Ukraine was supposed to host Eurovision in 2023, but due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the EBU decided to move the event to England.

The ESC final will be held in Liverpool in May 2023.