Netherlands at Eurovision 2026: Latest News Explained

If you searched "Netherlands Eurovision 2026" expecting to find the Dutch song, here's the answer up front: there isn't one. The Netherlands didn't compete at Eurovision 2026 at all — and it wasn't an accident. The Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS pulled the country out of the contest in protest over Israel's participation. It's one of the most dramatic Eurovision stories in years, and the fallout is still unfolding: the Netherlands has now confirmed it will return in 2027, while Dutch hopes this month rest on a young star called Maria at Junior Eurovision. Here's everything that happened, and what comes next.

Eurovision 2026: the quick facts

The 70th Eurovision Song Contest took place in Vienna, Austria, at the Wiener Stadthalle — Vienna's third time hosting, after 1967 and 2015, under the slogan "Europe, shall we dance?" The semifinals ran on 12 and 14 May, with the Grand Final on Saturday 16 May 2026. Bulgaria's Dara won with "Bangaranga," with Israel's Noam Bettan finishing as runner-up.

Thirty-five countries entered the contest — but five stayed home: the Netherlands, Iceland, Ireland, Slovenia, and Spain, all withdrawing over Israel's participation amid the Gaza war. Spain went furthest, refusing even to televise the event. It was one of the most politically fractured editions in the contest's history.

Why the Netherlands withdrew

AVROTROS, the Dutch broadcaster responsible for Eurovision, said that participating "under the current circumstances is incompatible with the values we represent." The decision followed months of pressure and debate in Dutch media, and it wasn't taken lightly — the Netherlands is a founding country of Eurovision, competing since the very first contest in 1956, with five wins to its name, most recently Duncan Laurence's "Arcade" in 2019.

The withdrawal had real consequences. After skipping the contest, the Netherlands lost its seat on the Eurovision Reference Group, the contest's governing body. And AVROTROS remains opposed to a return, arguing the contest "can no longer be considered neutral" — even as the Dutch audience and other broadcasters push the other way. Dutch fans are split: some back the principled stand, others just want their country back on the stage. If you follow Dutch music more broadly, our roundup of Dutch music stars' new albums and tours shows the scene is thriving regardless of the Eurovision drama.

The good news: the Netherlands is coming back for 2027

On 24 September 2026, the NPO confirmed the Netherlands will return to Eurovision in 2027 — which will be held in Burgas, Bulgaria, on the Black Sea coast (semifinals 11 and 13 May, final 15 May 2027). There's a new structure behind the comeback: the NPO coordinates the entry, NOS handles the broadcast, and an independent team of experts will select the Dutch act.

AVROTROS — the broadcaster that pulled the plug — is pointedly not part of that structure, and it continues to oppose the return. Meanwhile, Ireland has confirmed it will boycott a second straight year in 2027, and Spain was still weighing its decision as of early October. The EBU has also announced rule changes for 2027, including a cap of 10 public votes per payment method (down from 20), the return of juries to the semifinals, and a provision that a winning country involved in armed conflict or a sensitive geopolitical situation will not host.

Who will represent the Netherlands in 2027? That's the big unanswered question — the selection team has been announced, but no artist timeline or names have been reported. Any rumored candidates you see online are pure speculation at this point.

This week's real Dutch Eurovision news: Maria at Junior Eurovision

Here's the freshest story in Dutch Eurovision land — and it's happening right now. Maria won the Junior Songfestival 2026 final at RTM Stage Ahoy in Rotterdam with "Stronger Together," a razor-thin victory decided by the professional jury: 31 points, with only 3 points separating first place from fourth.

Junior Eurovision 2026 takes place this Saturday, 24 October 2026, at 21:00 CEST at the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre in Ta' Qali, Malta — and the Netherlands opens the entire show in running order position #1. Sixteen countries are competing, with technical rehearsals starting this week and the official album and theme song ("RamDamDiriDam") released just days ago. Online voting opens on 23 October.

For Dutch viewers, this is the Eurovision fix they've been missing: a homegrown act, a live final, and a genuine shot at a strong result. Maria won the jury with "Stronger Together" — keep an eye on whether the European public agrees.

More Dutch Eurovision events on the calendar

If the song contest withdrawal has you looking for your Eurovision fix closer to home, mark 13 November 2026 in your diary: Het Grote Songfestivalfeest 2026 takes over the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam with 25 acts, including Käärijä, Baby Lasagna, Charlotte Perrelli, Johnny Logan, and Dutch legend Maggie MacNeal — the only Dutch name on the bill.

And in this week's Eurovision music news, Joost Klein — the Dutch artist whose "Europapa" became a phenomenon before his controversial 2024 disqualification — released a collaboration with Käärijä called "Hyvää puuta." Klein remains one of the most talked-about figures in Dutch entertainment, whatever the Dutch entertainment awards season decides.

The Netherlands' recent Eurovision history: a recap

The Dutch withdrawal makes more sense with recent history in mind:

• 2019: Duncan Laurence wins with "Arcade" — the Netherlands' fifth victory and first in 44 years.
• 2024: Joost Klein's "Europapa" was disqualified the morning of the Grand Final after an incident with a production team member. Swedish prosecutors later dropped the case, and AVROTROS called the disqualification "unnecessary and disproportionate." "Europapa" is now the most-viewed Dutch Eurovision performance on YouTube, with around 47.3 million views.
• 2025: Claude Kiambe's "C'est La Vie" finished 12th in the Grand Final with 175 points — 5th with the juries, 15th with the public. It was the Netherlands' 65th participation.
• 2026: No Dutch entry — withdrawn in protest.

Five wins, two recent finals of heartbreak and triumph, and now a year on the sidelines. The Netherlands' Eurovision story is far from over — but 2026 will always be the year the Dutch flag was missing from the arena. For more on what's buzzing in Dutch entertainment this month, our Dutch TikTok stars roundup covers the creators everyone is talking about.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the Netherlands compete at Eurovision 2026?

No. The Netherlands withdrew from Eurovision 2026. Broadcaster AVROTROS pulled the country out in protest over Israel's participation, saying competing "under the current circumstances is incompatible with the values we represent." Five countries in total withdrew: the Netherlands, Iceland, Ireland, Slovenia, and Spain.

Who won Eurovision 2026?

Bulgaria's Dara won the Grand Final in Vienna on 16 May 2026 with "Bangaranga." Israel's Noam Bettan finished as runner-up. The 2027 contest will be held in Burgas, Bulgaria, with the final on 15 May 2027.

Is the Netherlands returning to Eurovision in 2027?

Yes. On 24 September 2026, the NPO confirmed the Netherlands will return for Eurovision 2027, with a new structure: NPO coordinates the entry, NOS broadcasts it, and an independent team of experts selects the act. The artist and song have not been announced yet — any rumored names are speculation.

Who represents the Netherlands at Junior Eurovision 2026?

Maria, who won the Junior Songfestival 2026 final in Rotterdam with "Stronger Together." She opens the Junior Eurovision show on Saturday 24 October 2026 in Malta, performing first out of 16 countries. Online voting opens on 23 October.

About the Author

Sidra Salman is the founder of Dutch Stars Daily, where she writes practical, research-backed guides on Dutch celebrities, music, and entertainment news. Every guide is tested and written in plain English for a global audience.