Dutch public broadcaster AVROTROS said it has pulled out of the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest for the Netherlands, claiming that the competition will “no longer be considered neutral.”  

AVROTROS stated the decision in a statement on Monday, influenced by the ongoing tensions in the Middle East and the lack of transparency from the competition’s organisers on the regulations for the participation of countries involved in military conflicts.

The statement read, “AVROTROS will not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027 because the event can no longer be considered neutral, with a participating country still involved in a large-scale military conflict. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are having a significant impact on the Contest and have led to deep divisions.

“Over the past year, AVROTROS has called on the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to establish transparent rules for the participation of countries involved in military conflicts. 

“However, the recently announced changes by the EBU do not provide sufficient confidence that the independent and neutral character of the Eurovision Song Contest has been restored. Participation is therefore no longer consistent with the values of AVROTROS: trustworthiness, independence and humanity.”

The move marks the second boycott by the Dutch broadcaster having shunned the competition in 2026.

The Dutch public broadcasting system will now select another broadcaster to represent the country before the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, scheduled for Burgas, Bulgaria.