The Netherlands will not participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, national public broadcaster NPO announced, reversing an earlier decision to return. Citing intense societal divisions and ongoing sensitivities surrounding Israel’s participation, NPO executive chairman Jet de Ranitz confirmed the network is taking a step back as preparations unfold for the contest in Burgas, Bulgaria.
The Bottom Line
- NPO reversed its September decision to return to the contest after failing to secure staffing and support from external experts and other public broadcasters.
- The Dutch withdrawal follows similar announcements from Ireland and the Czech public broadcaster, alongside public statements from Spanish broadcasting leadership favoring boycotts over the offensive in Gaza.
- Despite dropping out of the competition, the Netherlands will still broadcast the 2027 events and the Grand Final on public channels via NOS.
Staffing Shortages Force NPO to Reverse Course
The decision marks a sharp reversal from late September, when NPO initially announced that the Netherlands would rejoin the song contest. AVROTROS, the Dutch broadcaster that previously managed entries, had earlier pulled out of the 2027 event, declaring the contest could no longer be considered neutral given deep divisions over the war in Gaza. Following that exit, NPO had planned to bypass the traditional route by organizing an independent team of external experts and inviting other public broadcasters to contribute.
Those plans collapsed when no broadcasters proved willing to provide staff for the project. Left without sufficient organizational support, NPO concluded it could no longer move forward with a Dutch entry. Media director Jurre Bosman emphasized that the network would only send an artist if the project received full backing from at least one broadcaster, a threshold the network ultimately failed to reach.
Growing Wave of Broadcaster Boycotts Across Europe
The Dutch withdrawal arrives amid a broader wave of departures and boycotts affecting the contest. The European event has faced mounting friction over Israel’s participation, drawing protests against the country’s military offensive in Gaza following the Hamas attacks in 2023. Beyond the Netherlands, Ireland had already stated it would not participate in 2027, while the Czech public broadcaster pulled out earlier in the month, citing budgetary constraints and spending cuts.
At the same time, leadership at Spain’s public broadcaster has voiced support for a boycott. These cumulative pressures have reshaped the landscape for the upcoming contest, which is scheduled to take place at the Arena Burgas in Bulgaria, with semi-finals slated for May 11 and May 13, followed by the Grand Final on May 15, 2027.
| Broadcaster / Country | Participation Status for 2027 | Primary Stated Reason |
|---|---|---|
| NPO (Netherlands) | Withdrawn (Reversed) | Societal sensitivities over Israel and lack of staffing support |
| Czech Republic | Withdrawn | Public broadcaster spending cuts |
| Ireland | Withdrawn | Not specified |
EBU Response and Future Broadcasting Plans in the Netherlands
Reacting to the announcement, Eurovision Song Contest Director Martin Green expressed deep regret over the decision while affirming that the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) understands and respects the concerns raised by the Dutch network. Green emphasized that the organization remains committed to preserving the spirit of unity that defines the event.
Even without a competing national entry, Dutch audiences will still have access to the program. Jet de Ranitz acknowledged that the withdrawal would disappoint fans across the country, confirming that NOS will air the 2027 contest alongside dedicated preview programs and local commentary. Whether the Netherlands will return to the stage in future years remains open as NPO evaluates how public sentiment evolves.
