Ireland confirms Eurovision 2027 withdrawal

Ireland’s withdrawal matters because it turns a dispute that dominated Eurovision 2026 into an entry-list issue for Eurovision 2027. Romanian outlet Informat reported on May 21 that Ireland had confirmed it will not participate in the 2027 contest after the Vienna 2026 edition was marked by protests and boycott pressure. RTÉ had already tied its Eurovision stance to Israel’s participation before the 2026 contest. In a September 2025 report, RTÉ said Ireland would not take part in Eurovision 2026 if Israel remained in the competition, and RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst said participation would be “unconscionable” given the loss of life in Gaza. RTÉ later said on December 5, 2025 that Ireland would not participate in, or broadcast, Eurovision 2026 after the European Broadcasting Union confirmed Israel’s inclusion. (informat.ro) ### What exactly has been confirmed? Informat reported on May 21 that Ireland “was the first country to announce that it will not participate” in Eurovision 2027. The outlet said the confirmation came after the 2026 contest in Vienna, which it described as affected by protests and boycotts. (rte.ie) The report attributes the position to RTÉ and says Kevin Bakhurst maintained there were no grounds to change that decision because of the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Informat’s report does not say that a replacement Irish broadcaster has been named for 2027. ### Is this a new boycott or a continuation of Ireland’s 2026 position? (informat.ro) RTÉ’s public position dates back to 2025. On September 12, 2025, RTÉ said Ireland would not participate in Eurovision 2026 if Israel took part, pending the EBU’s final decision. That position became final on December 5, 2025. RTÉ said then that, after the EBU winter general assembly in Geneva confirmed Israel’s participation, Ireland would neither participate in nor broadcast the 2026 contest. (informat.ro) RTÉ also described the 2026 boycott in a May 12, 2026 explainer published as the Vienna contest opened. (rte.ie) That report said there would be no Irish entry on stage in Austria. ### Why is the 2027 contest now part of the story? Eurovision 2027 is due to be held in Bulgaria after Bulgaria won the 2026 contest with DARA’s “Bangaranga” on 516 points, according to EurovisionWorld’s results page cited in the source briefing. (rte.ie) Informat said uncertainty over 2027 participation is now spreading beyond Ireland because several broadcasters are still weighing their positions on Israel’s inclusion. (rte.ie) Informat said the Netherlands had not yet made a final decision and was awaiting an official assessment from the European Broadcasting Union. The same report said Iceland, Spain and Slovenia had not yet issued statements on 2027 participation, while noting they had taken firm positions against Israel’s inclusion. (informat.ro) ### Are any broadcasters moving in the opposite direction? North Macedonia’s public broadcaster MRT has confirmed a return for Eurovision 2027, ESCToday reported. The outlet said MRT Director General Zoran Ristoski announced the broadcaster would participate next year. ESCToday also reported that Luxembourg intends to compete in Bulgaria in 2027. (informat.ro) Those confirmations mean the 2027 lineup is being shaped both by withdrawals and by returning participants. ### What should readers watch next? The next concrete marker is the European Broadcasting Union’s publication of the official participant list for Eurovision 2027. (informat.ro) Until then, broadcaster-by-broadcaster announcements — especially from RTÉ, Dutch broadcaster NPO and other European members cited in current reporting — will determine whether Ireland’s withdrawal remains an isolated case or part of a wider reshaping of the field.