HILVERSUM – October 8, 2026 | The Dutch Daily
Eurovision 2027 Netherlands: the Netherlands is going back to the Eurovision Song Contest. On 23 September 2026 the Dutch public broadcaster NPO announced that it will take part again from 2027, after the Netherlands stayed away from the 2026 contest over Israel’s participation. The 2027 contest takes place in Burgas, Bulgaria, in May 2027. Below: the dates, who chooses the Dutch act, how to watch, tickets and the background to the boycott.
Eurovision 2027 Netherlands: quick answer
- Is the Netherlands taking part? Yes, NPO confirmed the return on 23 September 2026.
- Where: Arena Burgas in Burgas, Bulgaria.
- When: semi-finals Tuesday 11 and Thursday 13 May, grand final Saturday 15 May 2027.
- Who chooses the Dutch act: an independent team coordinated by NPO, not AVROTROS.
- Watch: on NPO 1 and NPO Start, with preview, coverage and commentary by NOS.
- Dutch artist: not announced yet.
Contents
1. Eurovision 2027 at a glance
| Edition | 71st Eurovision Song Contest |
| Host city | Burgas, Bulgaria |
| Venue | Arena Burgas (opened in 2023) |
| Semi-final 1 | Tuesday 11 May 2027 |
| Semi-final 2 | Thursday 13 May 2027 |
| Grand final | Saturday 15 May 2027 |
| Dutch entry | Organised by an independent team, coordinated by NPO |
| Dutch coverage | NOS, on NPO 1 and NPO Start |
| Dutch artist | Not yet announced |
Bulgaria hosts because DARA won the 2026 contest in Vienna with “Bangaranga”, the country’s first-ever Eurovision win. It is the first time the contest is held in Bulgaria, according to the EBU.
2. Why the Netherlands skipped 2026
On 4 December 2025 the broadcaster AVROTROS announced that the Netherlands would not take part in the 2026 contest, after it became clear that the organiser, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), would not exclude Israel. According to NOS, AVROTROS and broadcasters from Ireland, Iceland, Spain and Slovenia had wanted to exclude the Israeli public broadcaster because of the war in Gaza. AVROTROS also said the Israeli government had used the contest as a “political instrument”.
AVROTROS director Taco Zimmerman told NOS the decision was not taken lightly: “The Song Contest is very valuable to us. Culture connects, but not at any cost.”
Spain, Ireland and Slovenia also withdrew. Other EBU members, including Germany and Austria, were strongly against a boycott. In Geneva the broadcasters did agree on new rules to limit manipulation of the public vote: viewers can now cast a maximum of ten votes instead of twenty. NPO did make sure the 2026 contest was broadcast for Dutch viewers.
3. Why the Netherlands is back for Eurovision 2027
In August 2026, AVROTROS withdrew as the broadcaster responsible for the Dutch entry, saying that taking part under the current circumstances does not fit its values. That handed responsibility back to NPO, the umbrella organisation of Dutch public broadcasting.
According to NPO, the EBU has since taken “important steps” on the contest rules, partly thanks to critical public broadcasters. In its talks with the EBU after the AVROTROS withdrawal, NPO says it agreed to put the original purpose of the contest back at the centre.
NPO board chair Jet de Ranitz: “We understand that taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest gives rise to mixed feelings in the Netherlands.” The contest was founded to bring people in Europe together after the Second World War, she said, and NPO wants to seek that connection again “by taking account of what is happening in the world”.
Jurre Bosman, director of media at NPO, added that taking part also responds to “the wishes of hundreds of thousands of Dutch Eurovision fans”.
The EBU welcomed the decision. Martin Green, director of the Eurovision Song Contest, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Netherlands back to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027.” He noted that the Netherlands took part in the very first contest in 1956.
4. Who will choose the Dutch entry?
This is the biggest change. Until now, one broadcaster was responsible for both the Dutch entry and the coverage. From 2027, NPO splits these tasks:
- The entry becomes a joint project of the public broadcasters, coordinated by NPO, in the same way as 3FM Serious Request and the NPO Radio 2 Top 2000. An independent team of experts will be responsible for selecting and supporting the act, drawing on existing expertise within the public broadcasting system.
- The coverage, preview and commentary are done by NOS, as in 2026. NPO says this is explicitly separate from the entry, so NOS can keep reporting independently and impartially.
NPO has not yet said how the act will be chosen or who it will be. “Who takes part on behalf of the Netherlands will be announced by the public broadcaster later,” according to NPO. We will update this Eurovision 2027 Netherlands page as soon as the artist and song are known.
5. How to watch Eurovision 2027 in the Netherlands
All three live shows (11, 13 and 15 May 2027) will be shown on NPO 1 and streamed on NPO Start, according to NPO. NOS provides the preview, the coverage and the commentary.
Our tip (not from the sources): watching the NOS coverage with Dutch commentary is an easy way to practise listening. Words you will hear a lot are in the Dutch Corner below.
6. Burgas and tickets
Burgas is a city on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast and the country’s fourth-largest city. It was chosen from four Bulgarian candidates (Burgas, Sofia, Varna and Plovdiv); Burgas and Sofia reached the final stage. The EBU says Burgas won on its venue, accommodation, transport and international connections. Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna will also be involved in the accompanying programme.
Tickets. Besides the three live shows, there will be six Preview Shows between Monday 10 May and Saturday 15 May 2027. To buy tickets you must sign up to Eurofan, the official free fan club, to enter the sale when it starts. The EBU says more news on ticket sales will follow in the coming months.
More details about the Eurovision Village, EuroClub and the opening ceremony in Burgas will also be announced later.
Our tip (not from the sources): if you plan to travel, keep an eye on the official ticket news before booking non-refundable flights or hotels.
7. FAQ
Is the Netherlands taking part in Eurovision 2027?
Yes. NPO confirmed on 23 September 2026 that the Netherlands will take part again from 2027.
Where and when is Eurovision 2027?
At Arena Burgas in Burgas, Bulgaria. Semi-finals on 11 and 13 May, grand final on Saturday 15 May 2027.
Who will represent the Netherlands?
Not announced yet. An independent team coordinated by NPO will choose the act.
Why did the Netherlands not take part in 2026?
AVROTROS withdrew in December 2025 because the EBU did not exclude Israel.
Where can I watch it?
On NPO 1 and NPO Start, with NOS coverage and commentary.
🇳🇱 Dutch Corner
| Dutch | English |
|---|---|
| Het Songfestival | The Eurovision Song Contest |
| De halve finale | Semi-final |
| De finale | Final |
| De inzending | Entry |
| De omroep | Broadcaster |
| De boycot | Boycott |
| Het verslag | Coverage, report |
| De stem | Vote |
| Zich terugtrekken | To withdraw |
Sources
- NPO press release: Nederlandse publieke omroep doet weer mee aan het Eurovisie Songfestival (return, AVROTROS withdrawal, independent team, NOS coverage, quotes, dates, NPO 1 / NPO Start)
- EBU, 23 September 2026: Statement on NPO’s decision to bring the Netherlands back (Martin Green quote, 1956)
- EBU, 13 August 2026: Burgas to host Eurovision Song Contest 2027 (venue, dates, preview shows, Eurofan, host city process)
- NOS, 4 December 2025: Nederland niet naar Songfestival om Israël (2026 boycott, other countries, voting rule change)
More on The Dutch Daily: Public holidays in the Netherlands 2027
Free: Netherlands 2027 Money Checklist
Every deadline and number you need before and after 1 January 2027, on two printable pages. Confirm your email and the PDF is yours; we will also email you when the 2027 figures are confirmed.
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