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Netherlands and Belgium confirm return to Eurovision 2027
The Netherlands has confirmed its return to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027, which will be held in Burgas, Bulgaria. This decision follows a period of uncertainty after the broadcaster Avrotros announced its withdrawal, citing concerns that the competition was “not longer neutral” due to Israel’s participation and the conflict in Gaza.
The Dutch public broadcasting umbrella, NPO, has stepped in to manage the country's participation. NPO will form an independent expert panel to select the artist, while the broadcaster NOS will handle the television coverage. This move comes after the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) introduced new rules, including restrictions on countries involved in armed conflicts hosting the event and proposed changes to address politically motivated voting.
In addition to the Netherlands, Belgium's public broadcaster VRT has also confirmed its intention to participate in the 2027 contest. VRT officials emphasized that their participation does not constitute an endorsement or normalization of the situation in Gaza. Conversely, Ireland has maintained its boycott, stating it will not participate or broadcast the 2027 event due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Entities
AVROTROS · Belgium · Burgas · European Broadcasting Union · Eurovision Song Contest · NOS · NPO · Netherlands · VRT