The Netherlands withdraws from Eurovision 2026

AVROTROS will not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2026

AVROTROS has decided not to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2026. That decision follows a careful process in which information was obtained from a wide range of stakeholders: from the Israeli ambassador to Amnesty International, from the EBU to various European public broadcasters, and internally from our own Association Council, Works Council and Supervisory Board, as well as the many thousands of Eurovision fans who have sought contact. All things considered, AVROTROS concludes that participation under the current circumstances is incompatible with the public values that are essential to us. The decision was made in close coordination with the NPO, which respects and supports this consideration.

Looking back on the route

On September 12, 2025, AVROTROS indicated that the serious humanitarian suffering in Gaza, the suppression of freedom of the press and political interference during the last edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, are not compatible with values that are fundamental to us. In that context, AVROTROS concludes that the participation of the Israeli broadcaster KAN is no longer compatible with the responsibility we bear as a public broadcaster this year. Reliability, independence and humanity are our compass.

Response and developments EBU

The EBU has acknowledged that there has been political interference during the previous edition, and has announced additional measures to prevent recurrence. However, these measures do not change what happened during the last edition. Today, at the General Meeting of Members, it was decided that Israel can participate in 2026. At the same time, this meeting showed that concerns about the neutrality and apolitical nature of the Eurovision Song Contest remain great at several European broadcasters.

Conclusion

What happened last year; the violation of universal values such as humanity and free press, but also the political interference in the previous edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, means that a limit has been reached for us. That remains leading, regardless of the steps taken after that. The situation in Gaza also remains extremely worrying and vulnerable. It is currently too early to speak of a substantial, stable improvement that justifies participation in the Eurovision Song Contest from our values.

Taco Zimmerman, Managing Director AVROTROS:

–This has not been an easy decision, where we have not gone over one night of ice. The Eurovision Song Contest is very valuable to us. Culture connects, but not at all costs. What happened over the past year is touching our limits. Universal values such as humanity and the free press have been seriously violated and are not negotiable for us. In addition, last year's political interference showed that the independence and unifying nature of the Eurovision Song Contest is no longer self-evident. We choose the core values of AVROTROS and, as a public broadcaster, have the responsibility to remain faithful to these values, even when that is complicated or vulnerable.'

AVROTROS will not broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest in 2026. The NPO ensures that the Eurovision Song Contest remains available to Dutch viewers and fans next year.