Dutch broadcaster pulls out of Eurovision 2027

Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS has announced it will not take part in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, saying the event can “no longer be considered neutral” while Israel participates.

In a statement released on Monday, the broadcaster said the decision was due to a lack of clarity from the Eurovision Broadcasting Union (EBU) over assessing which countries could compete.

“It is undeniable that international conflicts are increasingly affecting the Contest, undermining its neutral character,” AVROTROS Director-General Taco Zimmerman said. “The Eurovision Song Contest has therefore become a platform for division.”

AVROTROS also boycotted this year’s contest in Vienna, previously citing the humanitarian situation in Gaza and concerns over press freedom.

“The severe humanitarian suffering in Gaza and the ongoing restrictions on press freedom have contributed to increasing divisions surrounding the Eurovision Song Contest in recent years,” Zimmerman added.

Earlier this month, the EBU updated its rules to state that if a country involved in an armed conflict wins the competition, they will be ineligible to host it the following year. AVROTROS said the changes “do not provide sufficient confidence that the independent and neutral character of the Eurovision Song Contest has been restored.”

Martin Green, director of the contest, said the organisation regrets the decision, but respected the choice. He also said they would investigate whether another Dutch broadcaster might be willing to participate.

“We very much hope that audiences and artists in the Netherlands can continue to be represented in the Eurovision Song Contest,” said Green.

The Netherlands was one of five countries, alongside Ireland, Spain, Slovenia and Iceland, which did not participate in Eurovision 2026 due to Israel being allowed to take part.

In May, RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst said there was "no reason at the moment" to change that position, but said it would be reviewed in the coming months.

RTÉ has not yet confirmed whether Ireland will participate in Eurovision 2027.

The contest will take place in Burgas, Bulgaria in May, with the Grand Final on May 15.