nuOct 28, 2026, 10:31

Iceland will not participate in Eurovision in 2027, EBU expects 36 countries

Iceland will continue its boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027, citing the continued participation of Israel. The event is set to be hosted in Burgas, Bulgaria, with 36 countries currently confirmed to compete.

Iceland has confirmed it will not participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, maintaining its boycott due to Israel's ongoing inclusion in the competition. This decision mirrors the stance taken by Ireland and effectively aligns with previous debates regarding Dutch participation, as the NPO ultimately failed to secure internal support for sending a candidate. The European Broadcasting Union is currently preparing for 36 participating nations, though that figure could rise to 38 if Spain and Slovenia confirm their entries by the December deadline.

The 2027 contest is scheduled to take place on May 11, 13, and 15 in Burgas, Bulgaria, following the country's victory with Dara's song Bangaranga. The upcoming event will feature the debut of Canada and the return of North Macedonia after a four-year absence. Conversely, the Czech Republic will sit out the competition due to financial constraints, and Hungary has opted not to rejoin the event at this time. Belgium has confirmed its participation despite internal resistance at the VRT.

Culture Netherlands

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Based on reporting by nu. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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