Netherlands Reverses Course and Withdraws From Eurovision 2027

The Netherlands will not take part in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, reversing an earlier pledge to return. Dutch public broadcasting body NPO announced the decision on Tuesday, pointing to "sensitivities" around Israel's participation.

The country was one of five that boycotted this year's event after the Dutch network Avrotros withdrew. Avrotros had said it would also stay away in 2027. NPO, which oversees public broadcasting in the Netherlands, then stepped in last month and promised the country would come back next year.

That promise has now been dropped. NPO media director Jurre Bosman said Israel's participation "elicits various reactions in society and causes discussion and division", and that the organisation "has decided to forgo participation in 2027".

NPO chair Jet de Ranitz said talks had been held with broadcasters about entering next year's contest. "In those discussions, we initially felt there was sufficient support to return. Unfortunately, we were unable to find a suitable format for this," she said. She concluded that it is currently too early to take part, adding that because of the sensitivities involved, "we have decided to take a step back for the time being."

NPO acknowledged that some Dutch fans may be disappointed, but said the contest will still be broadcast in the Netherlands.

Eurovision Song Contest director Martin Green said he was "deeply sorry" the Netherlands would not participate, but that "we understand their decision, and we respect the strength of feeling behind it". He said organisers accept that opinions on the contest "differ widely, both within countries and between them" and that they do not dismiss any of those views. He argued the contest still matters in a divided world, calling it one of the few moments each year when people from across Europe and beyond come together around music, creativity and shared experience. Green said organisers look forward to welcoming a Dutch entry again when they "feel the time is right".

The Netherlands, Iceland, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia all boycotted the 2026 contest over Israel's participation, amid criticism of its military actions in Gaza and the Middle East. Organisers have announced several changes in an effort to ease the divisions, including barring any country involved in an armed conflict from hosting the competition, as well as changes to the voting.

Ireland will also sit out 2027, and the head of the Spanish public broadcaster has spoken in favour of a boycott. The Czech public broadcaster has pulled out as well, though it cited spending cuts as the reason.

Eurovision 2027 will be held in Burgas, Bulgaria, on 15 May. The host country was determined by this year's result in Vienna, where Dara won with the dance track Bangaranga.