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Ireland boycotts Eurovision 2027

Ireland will again stay out of Eurovision and keep the contest off its public broadcaster’s screens.

Published by NUZE · Founded and edited by Halfdan Harring · Friday, 18 September 2026

Summaries are written by NUZE from the day’s measured coverage across many newsrooms, with founder oversight.

What happened

Ireland’s public broadcaster RTÉ announced it will neither enter nor show the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest in Burgas, Bulgaria. It cited civilian deaths and risks to civilians in Gaza, alongside Israel’s continued participation. The organiser, the European Broadcasting Union, regretted the decision and stated that it respected RTÉ’s choice.

Numbers

Second yearIreland’s consecutive Eurovision withdrawal
15 MayBurgas hosts the Eurovision final
Five countriesSkipped the 2026 contest
Seven winsIreland’s Eurovision title total — Joint record with Sweden

Questions

Which broadcasts are affected?: RTÉ will not carry either semi-final or the final, leaving Irish audiences without the contest on their public broadcaster.
What concern did RTÉ add?: It also pointed to continued limits on independent international journalists entering Gaza, making outside reporting from the territory a separate concern.
Which broadcaster has also withdrawn?: AVROTROS, the Dutch public broadcaster, has also declined 2027 participation, arguing Eurovision cannot remain neutral during a large-scale military conflict.
How significant is Ireland’s Eurovision history?: Ireland shares Eurovision’s record for victories with Sweden, and it also withdrew from the competition held the previous year.

The catch

The coverage leaves open whether other broadcasters will join the boycott or whether RTÉ will return after 2027.

What happens next

11 May 2027

Eurovision’s first semi-final is scheduled to take place in Burgas.

Sources

Open in NUZE