Spain Eurovision participation suspension

RTVE President José Pablo López has formally announced his intention to propose that Spain continue its boycott of the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest. The proposal, which is expected to face a final vote by the RTVE Board of Directors in mid-October, is driven by the continued participation of Israel’s public broadcaster, KAN, amidst the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which López described as an “intolerable human tragedy.”

While López acknowledged that negotiations with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) have yielded technical and governance improvements—such as enhanced voting transparency and stricter rules against political instrumentalization—he maintained there remains an “evident pending task in the ethical field.” The EBU has expressed disappointment regarding a potential Spanish absence, noting that significant changes have already been implemented to ensure contest neutrality and security.

If the proposal is ratified, Spain will miss the 2027 contest in Bulgaria for a second consecutive year. This aligns with intentions from other nations, such as Ireland and the Netherlands, to boycott the edition. Ireland's RTÉ has confirmed it will not participate or broadcast the contest, stating participation cannot be justified given the loss of life in Gaza, while the Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS has also announced its intention to boycott, arguing the contest has lost its neutral character.

In response to the potential absence from Eurovision, the sixth edition of Benidorm Fest is scheduled for January 23 to January 30, 2027, with the grand final at the Palau d'Esports L'Illa. For the second year running, the festival will operate as an independent musical event, decoupled from the Eurovision selection process. Ticket sales are expected to begin in November.