Ireland will not take part in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027 due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as confirmed by the country’s public broadcaster, RTÉ. The broadcaster highlighted the continued conflict and significant loss of civilian lives as key reasons for its decision, alongside concerns about restricted access for international journalists to the area.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the annual music event, expressed respect for Ireland’s decision. The EBU stated that it hopes to maintain communication with RTÉ with the aim that Ireland may rejoin the contest in the future.

This marks the second consecutive year that Ireland has opted out of Eurovision participation. In 2026, Ireland, along with the Netherlands, Spain, Iceland, and Slovenia, boycotted the event following the EBU’s decision to allow Israel to compete. The Netherlands has signaled its intention to also skip the 2027 contest, although its broadcasters are exploring the possibility of another entity representing the country.

As of now, Spain, Iceland, and Slovenia have not made formal announcements regarding their participation in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, which is slated to take place in Burgas, Bulgaria, in May. The situation underscores ongoing tensions and differing national stances regarding the participation of certain countries in international events amid geopolitical conflicts.