Portugal confirms its participation in Eurovision, amid calls to boycott

Amid calls to boycott this year's edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, it has been announced that Portugal will be participating.

This month, Portugal selected the act that will represent the country in the contest. This is done via a song competition, the Festival da Canção (Song Festival).

Most of the artists who participated this year announced that if they won, they would not represent Portugal in Eurovision, leaving the country's participation in the hands of the winning artist.

A total of 13 of the 16 artists participating agreed to boycott the European Song Contest, due to the European Broadcasting Union's (EBU) decision to allow Israel to participate.

Bandidos do Cante, with their "cante alentejano" (traditional Portuguese genre, from the Alentejo region) track ‘Rosa’, were this year's winners and one of the three acts that didn't sign up to the boycott, solidifying Portugal's participation in the European song contest.

"The Song Festival takes place at a difficult and sensitive time, marked by pain and violence in many parts of the world," the band wrote.

"It is natural that many artists feel the need to turn this concern into concrete gestures, including the boycott of Eurovision. We deeply respect those who choose this path and recognise the legitimacy of this artistic gesture.

"If one day the audience and the jury understand that a song of ours must win, we will represent Portugal with responsibility, respect and dignity. We will take with us what defines us, the ‘Cante’, the roots, the friendship and the dream of taking Alentejo to the four corners of the world."

‘Jurei’ by Dinis Mota placed second, and ‘Fumo’ by Nunca Mates o Mandarim third, both of which had joined the boycott.

The 70th Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled to take place in Vienna in May, with thirty-five countries set to participate.

Ireland has decided not to participate in this year's contest, and the competition will not be broadcast on RTÉ.

"RTÉ will not participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, nor will RTÉ broadcast the competition," said the broadcaster last December.

"RTÉ feels that Ireland's participation remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there, which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk."

Alongside Ireland, other countries, including Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland, have decided to boycott this year's Eurovision.