Which countries are boycotting Eurovision?
Eurovision 2026 has been struck with controversy as a handful of nations have refused to participate this year.
Boy George discusses going up against UK with Senhit at Eurovision
The 70th Eurovision Song Contest is finally here, with Austria hosting the globally-loved competition in Vienna at the Wiener Stadthalle. The UK will be represented by electronic singer-songwriter and YouTuber Look Mum No Computer and his song Eins, Zwei, Drei. There are 35 nations taking part in the competition this year with the UK, France, Germany and Italy all through to the grand finale as the biggest financial contributors to the event.
Also, reigning champions Austria have already been guaranteed a place in the final given. However, some big nations are absent after they made the decision to pull out of the competition. Here’s the lowdown on which nations aren’t taking part.
Which countries are boycotting Eurovision?
The following countries have decided to withdraw from the Song Contest:
1. Iceland
2. Ireland
3. The Netherlands
4. Slovenia
5. Spain
Why are countries boycotting Eurovision 2026?
There are five countries boycotting this year’s Eurovision in protest over Israel’s war on Gaza.
Israel’s presence in the competition has caused controversy ever since its government began a wide scale military campaign against Gaza in October 2023.
The offensive was in response to a Hamas-led attack on Israel in which approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities.
Israel’s offensive on Gaza has killed 72,628, according to the Hamas-led health authority.
A ceasefire between Israel and Gaza has been in effect since October 10, 2025.
The group of countries announced their withdrawal in December 2025 after Israel’s participation was officially confirmed.
Spain’s boycott is significant given that it is one of the Big Five and makes a substantial financial contribution, guaranteeing its place in the grand finale.
Iceland was the fifth country to join Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and The Netherlands.
Moreover, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia won’t be airing Eurovision with Irish broadcaster RTÉ choosing to air classic sitcom Father Ted instead, plumping for the Eurovision-themed episode A Song For Europe.
Meanwhile, Slovenian broadcaster RTV’s director Ksenija Horvat told AP: "We will not be broadcasting the Eurovision Song Contest. We will be airing the film series Voices of Palestine, featuring Palestinian documentaries and feature films."
The Eurovision Song Contest grand finale will be on Saturday, May 16 at 8pm BST on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
