Dutch Broadcaster AVROTROS Drops Out of Eurovision 2027

Dutch public broadcaster AVROTROS has announced that it will not participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, stating that the iconic music event can no longer preserve its neutral character while a competing nation remains entangled in a major military conflict.

The decision comes despite recent rule changes introduced by event organizers, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Under the updated regulations, any victorious nation involved in an armed conflict or experiencing geopolitical instability that threatens local safety is prohibited from hosting the following year's competition. However, AVROTROS maintained that these measures fail to provide adequate transparency regarding how member states in active conflicts are evaluated for general participation.

Highlighting the ongoing international friction, the broadcaster stated:

"The severe humanitarian suffering in Gaza and the ongoing restrictions on press freedom have contributed to increasing divisions surrounding the Eurovision Song Contest in recent years."

Explaining why the organization chose to step away from a tournament it has traditionally cherished, AVROTROS Director-General Taco Zimmerman said:

"The Eurovision Song Contest was originally created to bring people and countries together. It is undeniable that international conflicts are increasingly affecting the contest, undermining its neutral character. The Eurovision Song Contest has therefore become a platform for division."

"They guide us in everything we do, even when that means stepping away from an event that is very close to our hearts. That is painful as we would have very much liked to be part of the contest again next year."

Responding to the announcement, Eurovision Contest Director Martin Green emphasized that the event "has always been a place to bring people together, celebrate diverse communities, and show that a better world is possible even in the most difficult times."

The exit follows significant disruption surrounding the 2026 contest held in Vienna, Austria, which was won by Bulgarian singer Darina Yotova, where viewership dropped by 35 million after five nations, including the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and Iceland, staged boycotts over Israel's inclusion. Israel went on to capture second place with artist Noam Bettan performing his entry Michelle.

While AVROTROS has officially handed its Eurovision portfolio back to the umbrella network NPO, the move does not completely eliminate Dutch artists from the upcoming 2027 event in Burgas, Bulgaria. Because the Dutch public broadcasting framework encompasses multiple networks, another member organization could theoretically elect to field an entry for the nation.