Eurovision 2026 will go ahead with 35 participating countries, organisers confirmed on Monday, despite a boycott by five broadcasters protesting Israel’s inclusion in the contest. The 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest is set to take place in Vienna in May next year.
Opposition to Israel’s participation has intensified this year, prompting calls from some countries to exclude Israel from the competition. However, on December 4th, members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) decided that no vote was required on Israel’s continued participation, confirming its place in the event.
Public broadcasters in Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain subsequently announced they would not take part in the 2026 contest. Despite these withdrawals, the EBU confirmed that 35 countries will compete, only slightly fewer than the 37 that participated in this year’s contest in Basel, Switzerland.
The overall number has been bolstered by the return of Bulgaria, Romania and Moldova, which are rejoining Eurovision after absences of three, two, and one year respectively.
Eurovision director Martin Green said the contest remains a platform for unity. “As we prepare to celebrate 70 years of the Eurovision Song Contest, it remains a place where voices, cultures, languages, and music are woven together,” he said, adding that the event shows “that in a difficult world a better one is possible.”
The decision follows months of debate after several broadcasters threatened to withdraw over Israel’s participation, raising concerns about the contest’s political fallout and financial impact. At the same time, major participants such as Germany and host country Austria signalled they would withdraw if Israel was excluded.
