Ireland pulls out of Eurovision 2026 after Israel cleared to compete

JJ from Austria stands on the stage with the trophy after winning the Grand Final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel, Switzerland, May 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)

Ireland will not take part in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest — and RTÉ will not broadcast the event — after the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) confirmed that Israel will be allowed to compete in 2026.

The 2026 contest will be held in Vienna after a narrow victory by Austria’s act, JJ, with Wasted Love, beat Israeli singer Yuval Raphael, who was runner-up after receiving the largest number of votes from the public combined with the jury votes.