The Netherlands will not participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest. Broadcaster AVROTROS confirmed the significant decision on Monday, citing the European Broadcasting Union's (EBU) failure to address the politicization of the event, which it says has lost its "independent and neutral character."
The move follows years of mounting pressure on the EBU over the participation of Israel while it is engaged in a large-scale military conflict in Gaza. In a statement, AVROTROS said that "geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are having a significant impact on the Contest and have led to deep divisions."
A 'Podium of Division'
AVROTROS stated it had spent the past year urging the EBU to create transparent rules regarding the participation of countries involved in military conflicts. However, the broadcaster found that recently announced adjustments by the EBU "do not provide sufficient confidence" that the contest's core values can be restored.
Taco Zimmerman, Director-General of AVROTROS, described the decision as painful but necessary. "The Eurovision Song Contest was originally created to bring people and countries together," he said. "It is undeniable that international conflicts are increasingly affecting the Contest... it has therefore become a platform for division."
The broadcaster concluded that continued participation would not align with its public service values of "trustworthiness, independence and humanity."
Growing Discontent with the EBU
The Dutch withdrawal is the latest in a series of high-profile protests against the EBU's handling of the event. The broadcaster's statement referenced the decision of five other countries not to participate in 2026, former winners returning their trophies, and over a thousand cultural figures calling for intervention.
For many Dutch fans, this decision also comes in the shadow of the 2024 contest, which saw the controversial disqualification of the Netherlands' entry, Joost Klein. That incident created significant friction between AVROTROS and the EBU, with the Dutch broadcaster publicly expressing its disappointment with the EBU's management of the situation at the time.
What Happens Next?
AVROTROS has handed the responsibility for Eurovision back to the NPO, the umbrella organization for public broadcasting in the Netherlands. The NPO will now determine the country's future relationship with the contest. It remains unclear if this is a one-year boycott or signals a more permanent withdrawal.
The decision marks a significant moment for Eurovision, an event long cherished by the LGBTQ+ community for its message of unity. As the contest grapples with its political identity, the absence of a long-standing participant like the Netherlands will be keenly felt across Europe.
