The Netherlands will not take part in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027, with Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS saying the competition can no longer be viewed as politically neutral amid ongoing controversy surrounding Israel's participation and the war in Gaza.
The decision marks a second consecutive year in which the broadcaster has opted out of the competition, having also boycotted Eurovision 2026.
Announcing the move, AVROTROS director-general Taco Zimmerman said growing geopolitical tensions were increasingly overshadowing the contest.
"It is undeniable that international conflicts are increasingly affecting the Contest, undermining its neutral character," Zimmerman said. "The Eurovision Song Contest has therefore become a platform for division."
AVROTROS previously cited the humanitarian situation in Gaza and concerns about press freedom when explaining its decision not to participate in Eurovision 2026.
The broadcaster said it had hoped changes introduced by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organises Eurovision, would help restore confidence in the contest. However, it concluded that the measures did not go far enough to guarantee Eurovision's "independent and neutral character".
As a result, AVROTROS has informed Dutch public broadcaster NPO that it will not participate in the 2027 event and has handed responsibility for any future Dutch involvement back to the organisation.
The Netherlands was among five countries that did not compete in Eurovision 2026, alongside Ireland, Spain, Slovenia and Iceland, amid continuing controversy over Israel's participation in the contest.
The latest announcement suggests divisions within the Eurovision community are set to continue into another contest season despite efforts by organisers to address concerns raised by participating broadcasters.
Eurovision 2027 is due to take place in Burgas, Bulgaria, with the Grand Final scheduled for 15 May. The full list of participating countries is expected to be confirmed later this year.
The Netherlands has a long history at Eurovision and has won the contest five times, most recently in 2019 when Duncan Laurence triumphed with Arcade.
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