Eurovision 2026 faces its biggest political boycott yet, with countries pulling out over Israel’s Gaza war, sparking global controversy.
The Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026 has confirmed artists from at least 10 Asian countries, with more expected before the final in November. The event, hosted in Bangkok, aims to showcase regional culture and talent, marking a new chapter for the contest's 70th anniversary. The main Eurovision contest remains scheduled for Vienna in May, with some countries boycotting due to political tensions.
Eurovision 2026 is set to unfold in Vienna with 35 countries competing. Several broadcasters have pulled out in protest of Israel's inclusion amid the Gaza war. Slovenia will not broadcast the contest, opting to show films about Palestine; other countries have made similar decisions or limited coverage. The event maintains a governance framework intended to keep politics off the stage, but tensions remain evident around the competition’s political neutrality.
Several broadcasters are boycotting Eurovision 2026 in Vienna over Israel’s participation. Spain and Ireland join others in protests; Israel’s entry, Noam Bettan, aims to focus on performance while organizers implement reforms to the voting system.