Slovenia considering withdrawal from Eurovision 2026
RTV Slovenia’s TV director Ksenija Horvat told the RTV Council that Slovenia is unlikely to take part in Eurovision 2026, citing unanswered questions to the EBU and a programming shift this autumn. Participation has not been confirmed
It seems Slovenia will not go to Eurovision 2026, according to Slovenian broadcaster RTVSLO's TV director Ksenija Horvat.
Ksenija Horvat said RTVSLO has repeatedly asked the European Broadcasting Union for clearer rules and dialogue – particularly affecting smaller broadcasters – and has not received satisfactory answers:
– We realistically think that we won’t be able to go to the Eurovision Song Contest, Ksenija Horvat told councillors, adding:
– It seems we will not go to Eurovision.
Deadlines for Eurovision 2026 have shifted this month. Broadcasters were due to apply by 15 September, and the EBU has since allowed penalty-free withdrawals until mid-December, following wider consultations set to culminate at the EBU’s General Assembly on 4–5 December 2025.
EMA Paused
RTVSLO had planned a new entertainment show this autumn that would funnel fresh acts into EMA 2026, but that concept has been paused. Instead, RTVSLO will continue its long-running quiz “Joker,” which recently posted record ratings. Budget savings and scheduling were also factors.
RTVSLO says a final call will follow the EBU’s December meetings and the updated mid-December window for penalty-free withdrawals.
Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest
Slovenia made its debut in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1993, and since then has participated 30 times. They have never won the contest, and the best result for Slovenia is two 7th place finishes in 1995 and 2001.
Since the introduction of the Semi-finals in 2004, Slovenia has only managed to qualify for the Grand Final 8 times out of 21.
