The 70th Eurovision Song Contest is off to a bad start with a number of countries announcing that they will be boycotting the 2026 show. The event is set to take place in Vienna in May of next year after JJ won the 2025 event for Austria with the song Wasted Love.

Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and Slovenia will boycott the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, after Israel was allowed to compete. They were among a number of countries who had called for Israel to be excluded over the war in Gaza, as well as accusations of unfair voting practices.

EUROVISION icon Charlie McGettigan denies RTE’s decision to boycott next year’s event could affect our future in the contest. RTE announced they will not be participating in 2026’s song contest in

Ireland won’t take part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 following the organisers’ decision to allow Israel to compete. Broadcasters in Spain, the Netherlands and Slovenia have also announced they will boycott this year’s competition.

Eurovision Song Contest director Martin Green has told Irish fans that he respects RTÉ's decision to boycott next year's competition and hopes Ireland will return "soon" to the contest.

Ireland, Netherlands, Spain and Slovenia say they won't take part in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest after Israel was cleared to participate.

Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands announced their withdrawals Thursday from next year’s Eurovision Song Contest after organizers decided that Israel will be allowed to compete.

They, and other members of the European Broadcasting Union, had called for Israel to be excluded over the humanitarian toll of the war in Gaza.

Israel was cleared by the European Broadcasting Union to enter the music contest on Thursday, sparking some pushback.

Spain’s Eurovision 2026 boycott is one of the biggest due to its status as one of the “Big Five” countries that financially contribute the most to the contest. While Spain has only won the competition twice, it is one of Eurovision’s largest TV markets, drawing in several million viewers alone.

Cork teenager Lottie O’Driscoll Murray will be representing Ireland with her song Rúin. The 14 year old is Ireland’s tenth entry into the junior contest.