North Macedonia returns to Eurovision 2027

North Macedonia said on May 21 that it will return to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027, ending an absence that began after its last appearance in 2022. The confirmation came from Macedonian Radio Television, or MRT, through its director general, Zoran Ristoski, according to multiple Eurovision-focused outlets. The move follows months of signals that the broadcaster was preparing a comeback. MRT has not yet set out how it will choose its 2027 act. ### Who confirmed the return, and when? Zoran Ristoski, MRT's director general, confirmed on May 21 that North Macedonia intends to participate in Eurovision 2027, according to ESCToday and other Eurovision outlets. ESCToday reported that the statement was made during a public session and described it as confirmation that the broadcaster plans to rejoin the contest. Metro also reported on May 21 that North Macedonia would return after a four-year absence, citing an internal broadcaster decision to re-enter the competition. That placed the announcement just days after the end of Eurovision 2026 and before MRT had published any details on artist selection. ### How long has North Macedonia been away? North Macedonia last competed in Eurovision in 2022, when Andrea performed "Circles" in Turin. (esctoday.com) The country then did not take part in the 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026 editions, according to ESCToday's account of MRT's return. ESCToday said the broadcaster's withdrawal in those years was tied primarily to financial difficulties and higher participation costs. (byteseu.com) During that period, MRT still broadcast the contest domestically, the outlet reported. ### Was this return already being prepared behind the scenes? December 2025 meeting notes from MRT's Program Council showed support for a 2027 return, according to Eurovoix. (esctoday.com) The outlet said those notes referred to discussions with the European Broadcasting Union, or EBU, in which EBU representatives said they expected Macedonia to be back on the Eurovision stage in 2027 and were ready to provide technical and organizational support. Eurovoix reported again on May 16 that the broadcaster's council had already backed participation for 2027. That earlier reporting made the May 21 confirmation look less like a sudden reversal than the formalization of a plan already under discussion inside MRT. ### What do we know about North Macedonia's Eurovision record? North Macedonia has competed in Eurovision 21 times since its debut in 1998, according to background records compiled by Eurovision reference sources. (eurovoix.com) Its most recent participation before the break was Andrea's 2022 entry, which did not qualify for the grand final after finishing 11th in its semi-final with 76 points, Eurovoix reported from MRT materials. (eurovoix.com) The country's broadcaster for the contest is MRT, which has remained the key institution for any return decision. That matters because Eurovision participation is determined by national broadcasters rather than by governments or private promoters. ### What is still missing before 2027? MRT has not yet announced whether it will use a national final, an internal selection or another process to choose its 2027 representative. (en.wikipedia.org) ESCToday said further details on the selection process are expected from MRT in due course. The next concrete steps will come from MRT and, later, from Eurovision 2027 participation lists and rulebook updates published through the contest's broadcaster network. (en.wikipedia.org) As of May 22, 2026, the return itself had been confirmed, but the song, artist and selection timetable had not. (esctoday.com)