Eurovision: Ireland to boycott song contest for second year in a row

Thursday, 17 September 2026 15:14

By Bethany Minelle, arts and entertainment reporter

Ireland will boycott the Eurovision Song Contest for the second year in a row in protest at Israel's participation, broadcaster RTE says.

The boycott follows that of Dutch broadcaster AvroTros last month, who announced they would boycott next year's show as it was no longer consistent with "trustworthiness, independence and humanity".

Both Ireland and the Netherlands were among the five countries to not take part in the 2026 show, along with Iceland, Slovenia and Spain.

RTE, Ireland's national broadcaster, said in a statement: "RTE feels that Ireland's participation cannot be justified given the ⁠appalling and ongoing loss ⁠of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there which continues to ‌put the lives of so many civilians at risk."

They also said they would not be broadcasting the competition, which will take place in Bulgaria in 2027 after singer Dara's victory for the country in May.

Eurovision director Martin Green said he "regretted" RTS's decision, but "fully respect their decision".

He added that he hoped the broadcaster would return to the contest in the future.

Israel's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Eurovision rule changes in a bid to quell dissent

Ireland has won Eurovision seven times, a record they share with Sweden.

In 2025, the country's song Laika Party by Emmy failed to qualify for the semi-final, while their 2024 entry Doomsday Blue finished in sixth place.

Last month, the EBU announced it would be updating the contest's rules, relating to the countries which could host the event. Normally, countries are invited to host if their act has won the contest the previous year.

Under the new rules, broadcasters cannot host if their country is involved in armed conflict or a "sensitive geopolitical situation" that could affect the safety of the event.

Broadcasters will now "automatically be ineligible to host the contest if an armed conflict, a sensitive geopolitical situation, or any other situation materially affects the security, safety or stability of their state or immediate region".

While there is a tradition of a country hosting if its act won, changes have been made in the past. In 2023, the contest was held in Liverpool, in the UK, following Ukraine's win the previous year - because of the Ukraine war. At the time, the EBU said Russia's invasion made it impossible to begin the 12 months of preparation needed to organise the show.

The EBU said the rule changes had been made following feedback from participating broadcasters, and that the updates would provide greater clarity for artists and production staff.

As the world's largest live music competition, Eurovision is watched by millions around the world.

Sky News

More from Q Radio National News

Charles was 'giddily elated' in phone call after Diana's death, Earl Spencer claims in book

Earl Spencer has claimed Charles was "giddily elated" during a phone call after Diana's death, as new excerpts are released from his upcoming book.
Father of Noah Woods, 3, pays tribute to his 'sweetest and most innocent' little boy

The father of a three-year-old child who was found dead following a huge search described his son as the "sweetest and most innocent little boy".
Remains of woman missing for seven years found after wildfire

Human remains discovered in woodland following a wildfire are those of a mother-of-three who disappeared nearly seven years ago, police said.
'Reasonable grounds' to believe US committed war crime in Iran school strike, UN experts claim

Human rights experts commissioned by the United Nations (UN) have concluded that there are "reasonable grounds" to believe that the US committed a war crime when it struck a school in Iran.
FA chair calls for release of files on Gianni Infantino's controversial World Cup sell-off plan

England's FIFA vice president has called for an independent review into Gianni Infantino's attempt to sell off the World Cup and asked him to release all documents on the Folarin Balogun red card controversy, Sky News understands.
Family of 'Putney pusher' suspect say he took his own life due to investigation - as Met refers itself to watchdog

The family of a man accused of being the "Putney pusher" has said he "took his own life" due to the Metropolitan Police investigation, as the force referred itself to the police watchdog over how its dealings with him.
Macklemore announces $1m donation after Ed Sheeran row - as stadium owner responds

The stadium owner at the heart of the row over the removal of rapper Macklemore from Ed Sheeran's US tour says Sheeran asked him to match his own $2m (£1.5m) donation for "aid in the region".
Deaths of nine women in South Africa could be 'linked to serial killer', police say

The bodies of nine women have been found in South Africa in just two months - sparking a major police investigation into whether the deaths are linked.
EU to ban social media for under-13s and limit access for older children

The EU is banning social media for under 13s and limiting older children's access in an attempt to protect youngsters from suffering online harm on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.