Eurovision 2026: 35 countries set to compete after boycotts amid Israel participation debate
Vienna to host next year’s finale after five nations withdraw and others return; organizers cite ongoing political tensions and rules reforms.
The European Broadcasting Union announced Monday that 35 countries will take part in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, after five nations said they would boycott the competition over Israel’s participation. The boycotting countries are Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain, according to the organizers. The move comes as the event’s 70th anniversary is being marked amid political frictions that have overshadowed the glittering pop music gala in recent years. The announcement also notes that three countries—Bulgaria, Moldova and Romania—will return to the contest after skipping for artistic or financial reasons in recent years.
Austria’s JJ won this year’s event, which drew more than 100 million viewers worldwide. The final tally of participants for 2026 signals a reshaped field even as the lineup includes a mix of returning and new entrants. The organizers emphasized that 37 nations participated this year, underscoring the contest’s broad appeal even as political tensions have spilled into the public sphere and occasional protests outside venues. The 2026 field will be staged in Vienna in May, with the city hosting the finale for the first time since the competition’s expansion in the 2000s.
The boycott episode has laid bare the political fault lines surrounding the world’s most-watched music competition. The decision to proceed without some stalwart participants has been described by observers as one of the biggest crises the event has faced in its seven-decade history. The walkouts follow a broader controversy over Israel’s participation amid the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, with critics arguing that the contest should not lend its platform to a country whose conduct they condemn. Supporters, including many public broadcasters within the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) membership, have argued that exclusion would threaten freedom of expression and politicize the show.
The European Broadcasting Union, a consortium of public broadcasters from 56 countries that runs Eurovision, has defended its reforms aimed at curbing vote-rigging and increasing transparency. The amendments were meant to reassure participating and non-participating members alike that the contest remains fair and apolitical, even as some nations pressed for stronger safeguards. Still, the protests around Israel’s participation—paired with the ongoing conflict in Gaza and debates over funding for national broadcasters—highlight the fragility of this year’s peaceable, celebratory tone.
For many fans, Eurovision remains a cultural touchstone that transcends politics. The event’s annual audience of more than 100 million viewers has helped sustain a lively ecosystem of national music industries, talent development, and entertainment diplomacy. Yet in recent years, organizers have faced pressure to balance the celebration of pop music with a global context that includes human rights concerns and geopolitical realities. The 70th anniversary edition in Vienna is shaping up to be a reckoning moment as much as a celebration, with organizers seeking to preserve the event’s inclusive spirit while navigating divergent national perspectives.
Looking ahead, the 2026 contest is expected to maintain the show-stopping production values and cross-border collaboration that have become Eurovision’s hallmark. The decision to return Bulgaria, Moldova and Romania signals that some countries remain committed to the event’s cultural benefits and potential soft-power reach, even as others step back due to funding or political considerations. In Vienna, organizers will balance the need to honor legacy acts and new talents with a reality check about audience demands, online engagement, and the evolving media landscape that has reshaped how viewers experience the spectacle.
As the event approaches, stakeholders will closely watch how broadcasters handle coverage, sponsorships, and fan interactions amid a climate where social media and digital platforms increasingly shape public perception. The contest’s ability to adapt—whether through rules adjustments, security measures, or creative presentation—will influence not only the competition’s next chapter but also broader conversations about the role of cultural events in a polarized era.