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Dutch public broadcaster AVROTROS announced on Monday that the Netherlands will boycott the Eurovision Song Contest again in 2027, citing concerns over the competition's neutrality amid the war in Gaza. It is the second consecutive year the Netherlands has withdrawn from the contest.
The decision marks the second consecutive year the Netherlands has withdrawn from the contest.
Eurovision organizers recently introduced new rules barring countries involved in armed conflict from hosting the event. AVROTROS said the changes did not go far enough to restore confidence in the contest's independence and neutral character.
AVROTROS Director-General Taco Zimmerman said international conflicts are "increasingly affecting the contest, undermining its neutral character."
He added that the withdrawal was a difficult decision, noting the broadcaster remains committed to its values even when doing so means stepping away from an event close to its heart.
The Netherlands joined Iceland, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia in boycotting this year's contest, held in Vienna, Austria, over Israel's participation. Israel finished second in both the 2025 and 2026 competitions.
AVROTROS has handed the decision on Dutch participation in 2027 to NPO, the umbrella organization for Dutch public broadcasting, meaning another Dutch broadcaster could still take part in the Netherlands' place.
The 2027 Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled for May 15 in Burgas, a Black Sea coastal city in Bulgaria, following Bulgaria's first win at this year's contest in Vienna for the song “Bangaranga” by the singer Dara.
The Netherlands has competed in Eurovision since 1956 and has won the contest five times, most recently in 2019 with Duncan Laurence's "Arcade."
Türkiye has not participated in Eurovision since 2013; its national broadcaster TRT has said votes in the contest are often influenced by political ties and regional blocs rather than performance.
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