Eurovision: Ireland boycotts contest for second year in a

Irish broadcaster RTÉ has confirmed it will not participate in or broadcast the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest. This marks the second consecutive year the nation has boycotted the event.

Reasoning for withdrawal

• In a statement, RTÉ asserted: “RTÉ feels that Ireland’s participation cannot be justified given the appalling and ongoing loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk.”
• The broadcaster added that it remains “deeply concerned by the continued denial of independent access to international journalists to the territory.”

RTÉ previously withdrew from the 2026 Vienna contest after the European Broadcasting Union permitted Israel’s broadcaster, KAN, to compete. Last year, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Slovenia all boycotted the event for similar reasons.

International and competition context

The Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS has also confirmed it will not participate in the 2027 contest, stating the competition can no longer be viewed as neutral while a participating country is engaged in a large-scale military conflict.

• Israel rejects allegations of genocide, maintaining its operations are in self-defence and comply with international law.
• The military campaign in Gaza began following the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, which saw approximately 1,200 people killed and 251 taken hostage.
• According to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, whose figures the UN considers reliable, more than 73,780 people have been killed during the conflict.

The 2027 contest is scheduled to be held in Burgas, Bulgaria, following DARA’s 2026 victory with the song “Bangaranga.” The semi-finals are set for 11 and 13 May, with the Grand Final taking place at Arena Burgas on 15 May. Ireland, which previously shared a record with Sweden for seven Eurovision wins, has not won since 1996. Noam Bettan represented Israel in the 2026 contest, securing second place. The report also notes that a joint record holder alongside Sweden, ireland has won the competition seven times between 1970 and 1996.