The Netherlands will not participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest after the public broadcaster NPO reversed its decision following intense internal backlash and a lack of support from domestic broadcasters over Israel’s ongoing involvement in the competition.
NPO Reverses Course After Broadcaster Pushback in the Netherlands
The Netherlands will sit out the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest in Burgas, Bulgaria, marking a swift reversal for the Dutch public broadcasting organization NPO. The decision comes just over a month after the NPO had announced that the country would return to the competition, despite the previously confirmed withdrawal of AVROTROS, the broadcaster that had been responsible for the Dutch entry from 2014 until 2026. The 2027 contest is scheduled to be held at Arena Burgas, with the grand final set for May 15 and the semi-finals occurring on May 11 and 13.
The reversal follows a period of significant internal conflict. In the weeks after the NPO’s unilateral announcement in late September, seven Dutch broadcasters sent a formal letter to the NPO Executive Board questioning the decision-making process, financing, and organizational structure of the planned return. Approximately 400 of the 4,500 employees working for Dutch public broadcasters signed a letter expressing their opposition. They argued it was indefensible for the NPO to prioritize an entertainment program over the countless lives of people being killed in Gaza. Ultimately, the NPO found itself without sufficient support, as none of the other public broadcasters were willing to provide staff or editorial contributions for the project.
Jet de Ranitz Cites Deep Sensitivities Surrounding Israel and Gaza
NPO Executive Board Chair Jet de Ranitz confirmed that the organization had held discussions to see if another broadcaster would help facilitate the participation, but they were unable to find a suitable format. NPO media director Jurre Bosman noted that Israel’s participation had generated deep divisions among Dutch broadcasters and employees, acknowledging that the organization would only send artists and staff if there was full support from participating broadcasters. De Ranitz emphasized that the NPO had deliberately chosen not to force another broadcaster, such as NTR, to take on the responsibility.
🚨🇳🇱 NPO confirmed, Netherlands will not participate in #Eurovision 2027 and NPO will withdraw from the organization. NOS will broadcast the contest pic.twitter.com/Z0euutVfMA
If we conclude that the issue is so sensitive that it causes such divided reactions, I believe it would be irresponsible to require a broadcaster to organize the 2027 participation.
This marks only the second time in 25 years that the Netherlands will miss the contest. The country, which has participated since the very first edition in 1956, has won the event five times—in 1957, 1959, 1969, 1975, and most recently in 2019 with Duncan Laurence’s “Arcade.” That victory, which ended a 44-year drought, saw the song become the first Eurovision entry to reach one billion streams on Spotify.
EBU Response and Broadcast Plans for Dutch Viewers
Martin Green, the Director of the Eurovision Song Contest for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), expressed that the organization is deeply sorry the Netherlands will not take part. However, he stated that the EBU understands the decision and respects the strength of feeling behind it. Green emphasized that the contest remains a vital moment each year for shared experience, creativity, and music in a divided world.
Despite the withdrawal, the Eurovision Song Contest will still be aired in the Netherlands. The broadcaster NOS will provide coverage of the semi-finals and the grand final, including Dutch-language commentary and a preview program, ensuring fans can still watch the event. The 2027 edition will be the first time Bulgaria has hosted the contest, following the victory of Bulgarian singer DARA in Vienna this year.
🚨🇳🇱 According to Dutch media, Netherlands will not participate in #Eurovision 2027 and NPO will withdraw from the organization. pic.twitter.com/2k0DwojZ8S
🇳🇱 According to Dutch media including Het Parool, RTL Nieuws and Algemeen Dagblad, NPO has reversed its decision to organise the Netherlands' Eurovision 2027 participation.As such, the likelihood of the nation competing in Burgas is "very small". pic.twitter.com/lMdjksQC7Q