The Netherlands will not participate in Eurovision 2027. The decision was announced by Dutch public broadcaster AVROTROS, which stated that the contest "can no longer be considered neutral" as long as a participating country is still involved in a major military conflict.
According to AVROTROS, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the war in Gaza have directly affected the music competition, turning it into an arena of division. The Dutch broadcaster has long asked the European Broadcasting Union for clear rules on the participation of countries involved in military conflicts.
The decision follows the boycott of Eurovision 2026 by several countries, including the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia, in protest at Israel's participation. Eurovision organizers have recently announced several rule changes, including restrictions on countries involved in conflicts from hosting the contest, but AVROTROS says these measures are not enough to restore confidence in the independent and neutral character of the festival.
Eurovision 2027 is expected to be held in Bulgaria, while the Netherlands' withdrawal deepens the political crisis that has been accompanying a contest that officially aims to remain outside of politics for years.
