How Eurovision faced its biggest boycott yet
Broadcasters from five European countries have withdrawn from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, marking the largest boycott in the competition’s 70-year history amid ongoing controversy over Israel’s participation, Qazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
Public broadcasters in Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, Iceland and the Netherlands announced they would not compete in this year’s contest, citing concerns related to the conflict in Gaza and criticism of the European Broadcasting Union’s decision to allow Israel to remain in the competition.
The Eurovision Song Contest, hosted this year in Vienna after Austria’s victory in 2025, is set to run from Tuesday through Saturday this week. Despite the withdrawals, 35 countries are still participating.
Spain, Ireland and Slovenia also said they would not air the contest on television. Ireland’s RTÉ plans to broadcast a Eurovision-themed episode of the sitcom “Father Ted” during Saturday’s final, while Spain’s RTVE will air its own music special.
Iceland and the Netherlands will still televise the contest despite not taking part.
Some broadcasters have also questioned the integrity of last year’s public vote, in which Israel finished second overall and won the audience vote in several countries. Eurovision organizers denied allegations of manipulation, although they later reduced the maximum number of votes allowed per viewer from 20 to 10.
Demonstrations both supporting and opposing Israel’s participation are expected during the week of the contest in Vienna. Austrian authorities said Eurovision has become one of the country’s largest security operations this year, with police preparing for protests and possible disruptions during the final.
Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported that the Eurovision Song Contest is expanding into Asia for the first time.