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Ireland confirms non-participation in Eurovision 2027

A central square in Burgas city.

Ireland will not participate in or broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest 2027, its national broadcaster RTÉ confirmed, a decision made due to ongoing humanitarian concerns. This marks the second consecutive year Ireland has withdrawn from the competition, as reported by Novinite.

RTÉ’s decision to withdraw

RTÉ officially announced its decision not to send an entry to the Eurovision Song Contest 2027 and will also not broadcast the event, according to Eurovoix. The Irish public broadcaster stated that Ireland’s participation “cannot be justified,” as reported by ESCXTRA. This stance follows a similar boycott by Ireland for the 2026 contest.

The primary reason cited by RTÉ for its withdrawal is the continuing loss of life and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Several news outlets, including The Guardian, France 24, and The Irish Times, reported that Israel’s participation in the contest is a key factor in Ireland’s decision. This makes Ireland the first country to officially confirm its non-participation for 2027, continuing its boycott from the previous year, as noted by i24NEWS.

The illustration depicts a microphone with the Irish flag, symbolising Ireland’s withdrawal from Eurovision 2027. The illustration depicts a microphone with the Irish flag, symbolising Ireland’s withdrawal from Eurovision 2027.

Netherlands also boycotts

Ireland is not alone in its decision. Novinite and euronews.com reported that the Netherlands has also announced its withdrawal from the Eurovision Song Contest 2027. Both nations are citing similar humanitarian grounds for their non-participation, highlighting a growing trend among some broadcasters.

EBU’s response

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), responsible for organising the Eurovision Song Contest, has issued a statement in response to RTÉ’s decision. While the details of the EBU’s statement have not been fully disclosed in the initial reports, ESCToday.com and Eurovoix confirm that a response has been made regarding Ireland’s withdrawal.

What this means for your trip

For those planning to travel to Burgas for Eurovision 2027, Ireland’s withdrawal primarily affects the line-up of participating countries. This decision does not impact the overall organisation or scheduling of the contest in Burgas, which is expected to take place in May 2027. You can find more information about Eurovision 2027 in Burgas and details on Eurovision 2027 tickets as they become available. We will continue to monitor any further changes in participation that may arise. Information on where to stay for Eurovision 2027 remains unchanged, and planning for travel is still advised.

Sources

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