Netherlands pulls out of Eurovision 2027, reversing decision to return

Public broadcaster NPO cites 'sensitivities' over Israel's participation after pledging last month to take part

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published27 October 2026

Updated27 October 2026

Read Time3 min

Sources2 outlets

The Netherlands has pulled out of the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, reversing a pledge to return, after public broadcaster NPO said it was too early to take part amid sensitivities over Israel's participation. The decision extends a boycott that saw five countries skip this year's contest.

NPO's media director, Jurre Bosman, said on Tuesday that "Israel's participation elicits various reactions in society and causes discussion and division", and that NPO "has decided to forgo participation in 2027". The broadcaster had stepped in last month, pledging the country would return after Dutch network Avrotros withdrew from this year's event and said it would also skip next year's.

NPO chair Jet de Ranitz said discussions with broadcasters had initially suggested there was "sufficient support to return", but "we were unable to find a suitable format for this". De Ranitz said it was "currently too early to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027", and that NPO had decided "to take a step back for the time being". The contest will still be broadcast in the Netherlands, NPO said, while acknowledging some Dutch fans may be disappointed.

The Netherlands, Iceland, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia boycotted this year's contest amid criticism of Israel's military actions in Gaza and the Middle East. Ireland will also not take part in 2027, the head of Spain's public broadcaster has come out in favour of a boycott, and the Czech public broadcaster has pulled out for a separate reason, citing spending cuts.

Eurovision Song Contest director Martin Green said he was "deeply sorry" about the Dutch decision but that organisers respect "the strength of feeling behind it". He said opinions about the contest "differ widely, both within countries and between them", and that the contest "matters in a divided world" as one of the few moments each year when people come together around music and shared experience. He added that he looked forward to welcoming a Dutch entry again when they "feel the time is right".

Organisers have already announced changes in response to the divisions, including barring any country involved in an armed conflict from hosting the competition and altering the voting. Eurovision 2027 takes place in Burgas, Bulgaria, on 15 May, after Dara's win in Vienna this year with the dance track Bangaranga.

RSS

The Daily Edition

The front page in your inbox each weekday morning: the lead, the picks, and why each one earned its place.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The Dutch withdrawal widens the split over Israel's participation ahead of the 2027 contest: Ireland is also out, and the head of Spain's public broadcaster has backed a boycott.
It puts the organisers' response to the test after they announced rule changes, including barring countries involved in armed conflict from hosting and altering voting.
Dutch viewers will still be able to watch the contest, but the Netherlands will have no entrant competing in Burgas on 15 May.

Background

The Eurovision Song Contest is the European Broadcasting Union's annual music competition, drawing broadcasters from across Europe and beyond. This year's edition in Vienna was marked by boycotts from the Netherlands, Iceland, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia over Israel's participation, amid criticism of Israel's military actions in Gaza and the Middle East. Organisers subsequently announced changes they said were meant to address the divisions. The 2027 contest is set for Burgas, Bulgaria, on 15 May.

Key Perspectives

NPO: says Israel's participation "causes discussion and division" in Dutch society and that it is "currently too early" to take part in 2027; there was initially "sufficient support to return", but no suitable format could be found. Martin Green, Eurovision Song Contest director: says he is "deeply sorry" but understands and respects the decision and "the strength of feeling behind it"; he argues the contest "matters in a divided world" and says organisers are committed to protecting its spirit of unity. Czech public broadcaster: has also pulled out of 2027, but cited spending cuts, not Israel's participation.

What to Watch

Whether Spain formally confirms a boycott: its public broadcaster's head has already come out in favour of one.
How Eurovision organisers respond to further withdrawals after their recent changes to hosting rules and voting.
The final line-up for Burgas on 15 May, and how Dutch audiences receive a contest their country does not compete in.

Sources

Netherlands makes U-turn over Eurovision return · BBC News
Dutch broadcaster pulls out of Eurovision 2027 · RTÉ News

Checked

11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedThe Netherlands has withdrawn from Eurovision 2027, reversing its earlier decision to return.BBC News: “The Netherlands has pulled out of next year's Eurovision Song Contest, with public broadcaster NPO citing "sensitivities" over Israel's participation - reversing a previous decision to take part.”
SupportedNPO cited sensitivities over Israel's participation after pledging last month that the Netherlands would return.BBC News: “NPO, which oversees public broadcasting in the country, stepped in and pledged last month that the country would return in 2027.”
SupportedNPO said it was too early to participate in 2027 because of sensitivities around Israel's participation.BBC News: “As a result, we must conclude that it is currently too early to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027. Due to the sensitivities surrounding the themes currently at play, we have decided to take a step back for the time being.”
SupportedThe Netherlands' decision continues a boycott that included five countries at the 2026 contest.BBC News: “The Netherlands, Iceland, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia all bocotted the 2026 contest over Israel's participation”
SupportedJurre Bosman said Israel's participation elicits reactions and causes discussion and division, and that NPO had decided not to participate in 2027.BBC News: “"Israel's participation elicits various reactions in society and causes discussion and division", and NPO "has decided to forgo participation in 2027".”
SupportedJet de Ranitz said broadcasters initially seemed to support a return, but NPO could not find a suitable format.BBC News: “"In those discussions, we initially felt there was sufficient support to return. Unfortunately, we were unable to find a suitable format for this."”
SupportedNPO said the contest would still be aired in the Netherlands, although some Dutch fans may be disappointed.BBC News: “NPO acknowledged that some Dutch fans may be disappointed, but that the contest would still be aired in the Netherlands.”
SupportedMartin Green said he was deeply sorry about the Dutch decision and that organisers respected the strength of feeling behind it.BBC News: “Eurovision Song Contest director Martin Green said he was "deeply sorry" that the Netherlands would not take part, but added that "we understand their decision, and we respect the strength of feeling behind it".”
SupportedIreland will not participate in 2027, Spain's public broadcaster head supports a boycott, and the Czech broadcaster withdrew citing spending cuts.BBC News: “As well as the Netherlands, Ireland will also not take part in 2027, and the head of the Spanish public broadcaster has come out in favour of a boycott. The Czech public broadcaster has also pulled out, but cited spending cuts as the reason.”
SupportedOrganisers announced changes intended to address divisions, including excluding countries involved in armed conflict from hosting and changing voting.BBC News: “Eurovision organisers have announced a number of changes in an attempt to address the divisions, including to exclude any country involved in an armed conflict from hosting the competition, and changes to the voting.”
SupportedEurovision 2027 is scheduled for 15 May in Burgas, Bulgaria, following Dara's win in Vienna with “Bangaranga.”BBC News: “Eurovision 2027 will take place in Burgas in Bulgaria on 15 May, following Dara's win in Vienna this year with the dance track Bangaranga.”