AVROTROS to boycott Eurovision for 2nd consecutive year

Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS has today (24th August) has announced its intention to boycott next year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Burgas, citing the ongoing inclusion of Israel in the contest. It’s the first of the five boycotting countries from this year’s contest in Vienna to publicly confirm their non-participation.

A statement issued by a spokesperson for AVROTROS says: “The severe humanitarian suffering in Gaza and the ongoing restrictions on press freedom have contributed to increasing divisions surrounding the Eurovision Song Contest in recent years. This is reflected in, for example, the decision of five countries not to participate in 2026, former winners returning their trophies, and more than 1000 musicians and cultural professionals calling on the EBU, in an open letter, to intervene. This underlines the need for a clear framework for assessing the participation of countries involved in military conflicts. Under which circumstances is participation compatible with a neutral Eurovision Song Contest, and when is it not? For AVROTROS, it remains unclear on what basis the EBU makes that assessment.”

Although the AVROTROS broadcaster is boycotting, another public broadcaster in the NPO could take its place. Omroep MAX, a broadcaster aimed at the 55+ demographic, has previously considered representing the Netherlands instead.

The EBU has already confirmed that there will be no vote on Israel’s participation in 2027. Ireland, Spain, Slovenia and Iceland are yet to confirm their intentions for next year’s contest.