Overview
- RTÉ confirmed on Thursday, September 17, 2026, that it will neither send an act to Eurovision 2027 nor air the shows in Burgas, Bulgaria.
- The broadcaster said its decision rests on the “appalling and ongoing loss of lives in Gaza” and the continued denial of independent access for international journalists.
- The move follows the Netherlands’ AVROTROS withdrawal and a string of 2026 boycotts that led to a sharp drop in viewers and heightened public protest at this year’s contest.
- The European Broadcasting Union has barred countries engaged in armed conflict from automatically hosting after a win but kept participation rights, a change some broadcasters call insufficient.
- Organisers said they regret RTÉ’s decision and will stay in dialogue, while the dispute raises questions about Eurovision’s neutrality, security and future reach for audiences and artists.