Netherlands Set to Return to Eurovision in 2027 After 2026 Boycott Over Israel's Participation

The Netherlands is poised to rejoin the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027, which will be held in Bulgaria, after boycotting the 2026 contest in Vienna due to Israel's participation. According to Dutch media reports, including journalist Jordi Presti from De Telegraaf on the program De Oranjezomer, the Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS is expected to officially announce the country's return within two weeks. The broadcaster has reportedly already selected its representative, 30-year-old Davina Michelle, who previously appeared as a guest performer during the 2021 Eurovision semi-finals in Rotterdam.

The Netherlands was part of a group of countries including Spain, Slovenia, Ireland, and Iceland that boycotted Eurovision 2026 over Israel's involvement. This marks a significant reversal from the Dutch broadcaster's stance last year. AVROTROS has not yet made a formal statement, but insiders say the decision to return is finalized behind the scenes.

The Netherlands has a long Eurovision history, being one of the seven founding countries and having won five times, most recently in 2019 with Duncan Laurence's "Arcade." In 2025, the Dutch entry by Claude finished 12th with 175 points, below expectations. The 2024 contest was also challenging for the Netherlands after their representative, Jeangu Macrooy, was disqualified following an incident with a photographer.

If confirmed, the Netherlands' return will be welcomed by Eurovision fans and marks a notable shift in the broadcaster's approach to the contest and its political controversies.