Five nations—Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia, and Iceland—have boycotted the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna over Israel’s participation, marking an unprecedented rift in the event’s 70-year history. The boycotts, announced last December, mean these countries will not broadcast the grand final or submit contestants, with Spain and the Netherlands being traditionally the fifth and sixth largest financial contributors.
The controversy stems from Israel’s inclusion after the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023 and the subsequent Gaza bombardment. Critics accuse the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) of double standards, as Russia was barred following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The boycotts have dampened the usual euphoria, with historian Paul Jordan noting, “Eurovision is meant to be joyous. But this year it feels a little bit sad.”
Viewing figures are expected to drop significantly. Ireland, Slovenia, and Spain, which together had nearly 5.9 million viewers in 2025, will not air the final. Spanish broadcaster RTVE will show its own musical special, while Irish viewers will see the animated film Mummies and Slovenians a series on Palestine. The Netherlands and Iceland will broadcast the event but without contestants.
The boycotts have also affected fan communities. Eurovision Hub, a major fan site, announced it would not cover the event, stating it “no longer feel[s] aligned with the contest in its current state.” Cultural historian Irving Wolther warned that financing Eurovision will become harder as public broadcasting faces cuts across Europe, adding that “political rows don’t help.”
Despite the tensions, Eurovision director Martin Green has promised a spectacular show celebrating the contest’s “unique ability to bring people together.” A new app feature will offer archival data from seven decades. However, Vienna will also host rival rallies, with about 3,000 protesters expected at a pro-Palestinian demonstration on Friday.
The EBU recently announced an expansion into Asia, with the inaugural Eurovision Asia set for November in Bangkok. But the 2026 contest’s legacy may be overshadowed by the largest boycott in its history, as three returning nations—Bulgaria, Romania, and Moldova—are unlikely to offset the losses.
