EUROVISION IN FREEFALL: Spain, Ireland, Netherlands & Slovenia Officially Boycott 2026 Over Israel
Published Date: 6th Dec, 2025
Vienna / Geneva – 19:47 CET, December 4, 2025 The 70th anniversary edition just lost four of its biggest names in one day.
In a coordinated bombshell, **Spain (RTVE), Ireland (RTÉ), the Netherlands (AVROTROS), and Slovenia (RTV SLO) have withdrawn from Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, citing Israel’s participation amid the ongoing Gaza conflict as “unacceptable”.
Official Joint Statement (Released 18:30 CET)
“After the EBU refused to hold a democratic vote on Israel’s membership and failed to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, we cannot in good conscience take part in a contest that includes a participating broadcaster from a country committing serious violations of international law.”**
Instant Fallout – The Numbers
- 4 countries out → field drops from potential 43 to 39
- Spain = one of the “Big 5” automatic finalists and major financial contributor
- Ireland = record 7-time winner
- Netherlands = 5-time winner + host of 2021
- Slovenia = regular participant since 1993
**Live reaction from EBU HQ in Geneva (just now) EBU Director-General Noel Curran: “We deeply regret the decision of these four broadcasters. Eurovision is a non-political musical event and a platform that unites people. We remain committed to delivering a spectacular 70th anniversary show in Vienna.”
Israeli Broadcaster Kan Fires Back Kan CEO Golan Yochpaz: “This is a dark day for culture. A political boycott disguised as morality. We will be in Vienna and we will win the hearts of Europe — again.”
Host Broadcaster ORF (Austria) – Damage Control Mode ORF Director Alexander Wrabetz: “The show will go on. We are already in talks with new countries interested in filling the gaps.”
Countries That Almost Joined the Boycott (But Didn’t)
- Iceland – board voted 5-4 to stay in
- Belgium (RTBF) – “monitoring situation”
- Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark – confirmed participation + praised EBU voting reforms
X Trends – Europe (Right Now)
- #EurovisionBoycott – 1.8 M posts
- “Spain out” – 987k
- “Israel Eurovision 2026” – 612k
- “Vienna 2026 cancelled?” – 398k (false, but trending)
Financial Hit (Early Estimates)
- Lost TV rights fees: €9–12 million
- Lost ticket & sponsorship revenue for Vienna: €4–6 million
- Spain alone contributes roughly €5 million per year to EBU budget
What Happens Next
- Deadline for 2026 participation: 15 December
- EBU expected to announce replacement countries (possible return of Australia, debut of Kosovo, or wildcard invitations)
- Bookmakers already slashing odds on Israel winning again
Bottom Line For the first time since the contest began in 1956, four major countries have walked away together over one participant.
Eurovision 2026 in Vienna will go ahead. But it will be the most controversial, most divided, and almost certainly the lowest-rated in modern history.
The song contest just became the boycott contest.
Date: 6th Dec, 2025
