The Netherlands has confirmed its return to the Eurovision Song Contest for 2027, following its boycott of the 2026 competition. This U-turn comes after the management of the country's entry was transferred from Dutch public service broadcaster Avrotros to NPO.
Avrotros had withdrawn in August, citing Israel's continued involvement and pointing to "humanitarian suffering in Gaza and the ongoing restrictions on press freedom." NPO stated that Avrotros stepped down due to "sensitivities" surrounding the contest.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has introduced new rules for 2027, making a winning broadcaster automatically ineligible to host if their nation is involved in an "armed conflict" or a "sensitive geopolitical situation." These updates were implemented after feedback from participant broadcasters.
Jet de Ranitz, chair of the board at NPO, said the network explicitly asked the EBU to make the unifying character of the contest central again. Martin Green, director of the Eurovision Song Contest, welcomed the Netherlands back, stating the contest provides a unique space for people and countries to come together.
The Netherlands was among several countries, including Iceland, Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia, that boycotted the 2026 event in Vienna, Austria, over Israel's participation. The 2027 contest will take place in Burgas, Bulgaria, after Dara won this year's event with her song Bangaranga.