Ireland declines Eurovision 2027 participation

RTÉ has confirmed that Ireland will not take part in Eurovision 2027, keeping in place a withdrawal first announced over Israel’s participation in the contest. The latest account, reported by Informat on May 21, said Ireland remained the first country to rule itself out of the 2027 edition, which is due to be held in Bulgaria. The dispute follows a 2026 contest in Vienna that Informat said was marked by protests and boycotts linked to the war in Gaza. Dutch broadcasters, by contrast, have not yet made a final decision on 2027 and are waiting for a review by the European Broadcasting Union, or EBU. ### When did Ireland make this decision? RTÉ said on December 4, 2025 that it would not participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest and would not broadcast it, calling Irish participation “unconscionable” because of the humanitarian situation in Gaza. RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst said at the time there were no grounds to reverse that position while the conflict continued, according to Informat’s May 21 report. RTÉ’s own coverage on May 12 described the move as a withdrawal caused by Israel’s continuing participation in the contest. (informat.ro) Informat reported that Ireland has now confirmed it will also stay out of Eurovision 2027. The report said the 2027 contest is scheduled to take place in Bulgaria after the 2026 edition in Vienna. ### What happened at Eurovision 2026? The EBU confirmed in December that 35 countries would compete in Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria. (about.rte.ie) EurovisionWorld said that was the lowest number of participants since the semi-final format was introduced in 2004, while Informat described it as the lowest level since 2003. Both accounts point to the same broad outcome: participation fell to a two-decade low. (informat.ro) Informat said the Vienna edition was affected by protests and boycotts. ABC News had reported before the contest that Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and Slovenia would not participate after organizers declined to expel Israel from the 2026 lineup. ### Why is Israel’s participation at the center of this? RTÉ said its withdrawal was driven by the “appalling loss of lives in Gaza” and by concern over what it called the targeted killing of journalists and restrictions on international media access. (eurovisionworld.com) Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS said in a separate 2025 statement that it could no longer justify Israel’s participation “under the current circumstances,” linking that position to the contest’s stated values of peace, equality and respect. (informat.ro) Informat said controversy over Israel’s inclusion remained at the center of uncertainty around Eurovision 2027. The report tied the dispute directly to the Gaza conflict and the aftereffects of the Vienna contest. ### Why hasn’t the Netherlands decided yet? NPO and AVROTROS said it is too early to determine whether the Netherlands will return for Eurovision 2027. (about.rte.ie) Eurovoix, citing a statement to Dutch media, reported that the broadcasters are waiting for an EBU assessment of the 2026 contest before deciding whether to compete next year. Informat similarly reported that the Netherlands had suspended any final decision pending an official evaluation from the EBU. (informat.ro) The review is now the clearest named next step for one of the contest’s regular participants. ### What comes next before Eurovision 2027? Bulgaria is set to host Eurovision 2027, according to Informat’s report following the 2026 result. (eurovoix.com) The next formal marker for participation appears to be the EBU’s post-2026 evaluation, which Dutch broadcasters have said they are awaiting before making a final decision on whether to enter. Ireland, by contrast, has already confirmed it will not return for the 2027 contest. (informat.ro)