RTE will not take part in Eurovision

What's happened

RTÉ has confirmed it will not participate in or broadcast Eurovision 2027, citing the ongoing humanitarian crisis and loss of life in Gaza and restricted access for international journalists. The decision follows earlier boycotts by other European broadcasters and comes after the EBU barred countries in armed conflict from hosting.

What's behind the headline?

What this means

• RTÉ has withdrawn from Eurovision 2027 and will not broadcast the contest, joining AVROTROS in a repeat boycott.
• The move keeps the contest politically fraught and ensures Israels participation will remain controversial at the Burgas event in May 2027.

Why broadcasters are acting

• Public broadcasters are framing their decisions as responses to humanitarian concerns and limits on independent reporting from Gaza. RTÉ has said Irelands participation "cannot be justified given the appalling and ongoing loss of lives in Gaza." AVROTROS has said the contest "can no longer be considered neutral."

Likely consequences

• The European Broadcasting Union will face renewed pressure to balance safety rules and political neutrality; it has already introduced a rule barring broadcasters from hosting if their country is involved in armed conflict.
• More withdrawals or non-broadcasts will reduce the contests pan-European reach and could further depress viewership and sponsorship revenue.

Forecast

• Broadcasters that have not announced final decisions, such as Spain, Iceland and Slovenia, will likely extend deliberations and could follow RTÉ and AVROTROS if public pressure and protests continue. The EBU will have to decide whether stronger measures or dialogue can restore full participation.

Bottom line

• Eurovision will remain a contested cultural event next year. The contests organisers will have to manage security, broadcaster relations and reputational risk while preparing the show in Burgas.

How we got here

RTÉ withdrew from Eurovision 2026 in protest at Israel's participation and has repeated that stance for 2027. Several broadcasters, including the Netherlands' AVROTROS, have also announced boycotts after widespread protests at recent contests and EBU rule changes on hosting eligibility.

Our analysis

RTÉ framed its decision in a formal statement, saying: "RTÉ feels that Ireland's participation cannot be justified given the appalling and ongoing loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk," (The Times of Israel; Al Jazeera; AP News). Eurovision director Martin Green told The Times of Israel and Al Jazeera that the EBU "regret[s]" RTÉ's choice but "fully respect[s]" it and that the organisation "will remain in dialogue with RTÉ and hope to welcome them back to the Contest in the future." Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS has already announced it will not participate in 2027, saying the contest "can no longer be considered neutral" (Guardian, Arab News). The EBU has introduced a hosting rule disqualifying countries involved in armed conflict from hosting; Sky News, BBC and France 24 report the change is intended to protect safety and production planning but has not satisfied all broadcasters. Reporting across Reuters, The Guardian and BBC documents that five countries skipped the 2026 contest — the Netherlands, Iceland, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia — and that protests and security concerns have followed Israels entries in recent years.

Go deeper

• Will other broadcasters withdraw or refuse to air the show?
• How will the EBU enforce hosting and participation rules in 2027?

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