Eurovision 2025 has updated its flag policy, banning artists from displaying Pride flags and limiting them to carrying only their official national flags during the contest’s events.
According to new guidelines obtained by Danish broadcaster DR and shared with PinkNews, contestants and their delegations will be permitted to bring only the flag of their represented country to any official Eurovision venues, including the Opening Ceremony, the Green Room, the Eurovision Village Stage, and the main performance stage.
The policy means that LGBTQ+ entrants such as Malta’s Miriana Conte, Austria’s JJ, and Finland’s Erika Vikman, among others, will be prohibited from showcasing Pride-related flags during their performances.
This is not the first time Eurovision has come under scrutiny regarding flag restrictions. Last year’s winner, Switzerland’s Nemo, who identifies as non-binary, revealed that they had to “smuggle” a non-binary flag past security to display it during the flag parade. “I had to smuggle my flag in because Eurovision said no, and I did it anyway,” Nemo shared after their victory.
For the 2025 contest, participants must use official country flags provided by Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR during the flag parade. Flags expressing solidarity with other nations, such as Ukraine’s flag, are also prohibited.
When asked about the potential consequences for breaking the rules, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) declined to provide specific details.
A Eurovision spokesperson commented to PinkNews: “The official flag policies of Eurovision 2025 have been developed by host broadcaster SRG SSR with input from the EBU to provide clarity for audiences and delegations. We aimed to balance allowing audiences and artists to express enthusiasm and identities while maintaining clear rules for official spaces.”
The spokesperson continued: “In line with other international competitive events, only one national flag may be used in official spaces such as the Stage, Green Room, Village Stage and Turquoise Carpet. Outside of these spaces, all flags permitted under Swiss law can be used.”
Fans attending the contest will face fewer restrictions. Spectators at the semi-finals and final, held at St. Jakobshalle in Basel, will be allowed to bring any flag or banner, provided it does not pose a safety risk or violate Swiss law. Flags containing hate symbols, discriminatory content, or references to banned organisations will still be forbidden.
Flag regulations were a source of tension at Eurovision 2024 in Malmö, Sweden, where some fans reported difficulty entering the arena with Pride flags representing specific LGBTQ+ groups or the European Union flag. Meanwhile, the Palestinian flag was banned during the event due to political sensitivities around the Israel-Gaza conflict. Notably, DR reports that the Palestinian flag will be permitted inside the arena this year.
The Eurovision 2025 semi-finals will take place in Basel on 13 and 15 May, with the grand final scheduled for 17 May.
