RTÉ confirms Ireland will not participate in Eurovision Song Contest 2027
Dara representing Bulgaria after winning the Eurovision Song Contest at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria. Picture: PA
RTÉ has confirmed that Ireland will not participate in or broadcast the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest in Bulgaria, citing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The national broadcaster said its position on participation in the competition remained unchanged.
Next year's contest will take place in Burgas, Bulgaria, with the Grand Final at Arena Burgas on 15 May, after DARA won Eurovision 2026 in Vienna with Bangaranga.
Ireland, seven times winner of Eurovision, did not take part in the 2026 competition – in which Israel participated.
In a statement, RTÉ said Ireland’s participation could not be justified given the “appalling and ongoing loss of lives in Gaza” and the continuing humanitarian crisis, which it said was putting the lives of civilians at risk.
RTÉ also said it remained “deeply concerned” by the continued denial of independent access to international journalists seeking to enter Gaza.
The decision follows RTÉ’s withdrawal from the 2026 contest after the European Broadcasting Union confirmed Israel would be allowed to compete.
Ireland joined broadcasters in Spain, Slovenia and the Netherlands in withdrawing from the 2026 contest, which was held in Vienna.
The EBU had decided that a vote on Israel’s participation was not required, with a majority of members supporting the decision.
Israel’s participation has been the subject of controversy in recent Eurovision contests, including allegations from several broadcasters that its 2024 entry benefited from unfairly boosted public voting. Israel strongly rejected those allegations.
Ireland has competed in Eurovision 58 times since 1965, winning a record seven titles. It has only missed two contests, in 1983 and 2002.
Martin Green, director of the Eurovision Song Contest, said: “We regret that RTÉ will not be participating in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027, but we fully respect their decision and recognise the huge contribution they have made to the contest. They remain a valued part of our family and will be missed.
“The Eurovision Song Contest is at its best when broadcasters and their artists from different countries come together to share music, celebrate creativity and create connections between audiences.
“That power to bring people together is at the heart of what makes the contest so special, and is even more important now in an increasingly difficult and divided world.
“All broadcasters decide on an annual basis to participate in the following year’s contest. We will remain in dialogue with RTÉ and hope to welcome them back to the Contest in the future.”
