RTÉ Confirms Second Consecutive Eurovision Boycott as Ireland Refuses to Participate in 2027 Bulgaria Contest
RTÉ has formally confirmed that Ireland will neither participate in nor broadcast the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, to be held at the Arena Burgas in Burgas, Bulgaria, following Bulgaria's victory in the 2026 competition, marking the second consecutive year of Ireland's withdrawal from a contest that it has won seven times and that has been central to the country's cultural identity for more than half a century.
Background
Ireland's relationship with Eurovision is one of the most storied in the competition's history. The country has won the contest seven times — more than any other nation — and has produced some of the competition's most memorable performances, from Dana's 'All Kinds of Everything' in 1970 to Niamh Kavanagh's 'In Your Eyes' in 1993 and the extraordinary run of victories in the 1990s that saw Ireland win three consecutive contests. The Eurovision Song Contest has been a significant platform for Irish music and culture internationally, and RTÉ's participation has been a consistent feature of the broadcaster's annual schedule.
The decision to boycott the 2026 contest — Ireland's first withdrawal from Eurovision since the competition's early years — was taken in response to the European Broadcasting Union's decision to allow Israel's broadcaster, Kan, to compete despite the ongoing conflict in Gaza. RTÉ joined four other broadcasters — the Netherlands, Spain, Iceland, and Slovenia — in boycotting the 2026 edition, citing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the restrictions placed on international journalists attempting to access the territory.
The 2026 contest was held in Malmö, Sweden, and was won by Bulgaria, whose entry 'Светлина' (Light) secured a decisive victory in the grand final. The 2027 contest will therefore be held in Bulgaria, at the Arena Burgas on the Black Sea coast.
Key Developments
RTÉ issued a formal statement on Wednesday confirming that its position regarding the Eurovision Song Contest remained unchanged from the previous year. The broadcaster stated that Ireland's participation could not be justified in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the associated humanitarian crisis, and reiterated its concern about the restrictions placed on international journalists attempting to access the territory.
Martin Green, the director of the Eurovision Song Contest, expressed regret over RTÉ's decision but stated that the EBU fully respects the broadcaster's position. Green noted that RTÉ remains a "valued part" of the Eurovision family and that the EBU intends to maintain a dialogue with the broadcaster regarding potential future participation. The EBU has maintained that its decision to allow Israel to compete is final and that it will not revisit the matter.
The Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS confirmed in August 2026 that it would also boycott the 2027 contest, making the Netherlands the only other country to join Ireland in a second consecutive withdrawal. Several other broadcasters that boycotted the 2026 edition — including Spain, Iceland, and Slovenia — have indicated that they intend to return to the competition in 2027, suggesting that Ireland and the Netherlands are increasingly isolated in their position.
The decision has generated significant debate within Ireland. Classic Hits Radio announced that it would drop Ed Sheeran from its playlist in solidarity with the Irish acts who withdrew from his US tour in support of Macklemore — a separate but related controversy that has placed the question of cultural solidarity with Gaza at the centre of Irish public discourse. RTÉ's Eurovision decision is part of a broader pattern of Irish cultural institutions taking positions on the conflict that go beyond the diplomatic caution of the government.
Why It Matters
The Eurovision boycott raises fundamental questions about the relationship between cultural institutions and political events. The EBU has consistently maintained that Eurovision is a non-political event and that the participation of national broadcasters should not be contingent on the political positions of the countries they represent. RTÉ and the other boycotting broadcasters have rejected that argument, contending that the decision to allow Israel to compete while the conflict in Gaza continues is itself a political act that cannot be treated as neutral.
The second consecutive boycott also has practical implications for RTÉ. Eurovision is one of the most-watched television events in Ireland, and the broadcaster's decision to neither participate nor broadcast the contest means that Irish viewers who wish to watch the 2027 competition will need to access it through other means. The financial implications — Eurovision participation generates significant revenue for participating broadcasters through the EBU's distribution arrangements — are also a consideration.
Local Impact
For the Irish music industry, the Eurovision boycott has mixed implications. On one hand, the competition has historically provided a significant platform for Irish artists, and the absence of an Irish entry means that an opportunity for international exposure is lost. On the other hand, the boycott has generated considerable goodwill among Irish artists and audiences who support the stance on Gaza, and several musicians have publicly praised RTÉ's decision.
The National Union of Journalists has supported RTÉ's position, noting that the restrictions on international journalists in Gaza represent a fundamental threat to press freedom that cultural institutions have a responsibility to acknowledge. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has also expressed support for the boycott.
What's Next
RTÉ has indicated that it will review its position on Eurovision participation on an annual basis, and that a return to the competition remains possible if the circumstances that prompted the boycott change. The EBU has scheduled a meeting of its members in November 2026 to discuss the future of the competition, and the question of Israel's participation is expected to be on the agenda. The 2027 contest in Burgas is scheduled for May, and the EBU will begin the process of confirming participating broadcasters in the coming months.
