Şeyma Erkul Dayanç
23 September 2026•Update: 23 September 2026
The Netherlands will participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest after all, Dutch broadcaster RTL reported Wednesday.
The decision comes after Dutch public broadcaster AVROTROS withdrew from the contest in August, saying it was no longer sufficiently neutral amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, according to the report.
AVROTROS also said measures announced by the European Broadcasting Union, which organizes the contest, were insufficient to address its concerns.
The broadcaster subsequently returned responsibility for the country's participation to the Dutch public broadcasting organization NPO, leaving it uncertain.
The Netherlands did not participate in the 2026 contest for the first time in 24 years, citing Israel's participation and the consequences of the war in Gaza.
Spain, Ireland, Iceland, and Slovenia also withdrew, while Dutch public broadcaster NOS continued to broadcast the contest.
The 2027 Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Burgas, Bulgaria, with the semifinals scheduled for May 11 and 13 and the final for May 15.
Ireland has already confirmed it will not participate, while Spain is reportedly considering a boycott.
