Eurovision 2026 confirms list of countries still taking part despite boycott

The organisers of the Eurovision Song Contest have confirmed the 35 countries still taking part in the 2026 event.

Last week, Iceland became the fifth country to withdraw after Israel was cleared to take part despite the war in Gaza. Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands had previously announced they were boycotting the 2026 contest.

A number of former performers, including the 2024 winner, Nemo, have handed back their trophies in response to Israel being allowed to compete,

On Monday (15 December), the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) posted an update regarding who will be taking part and the public service broadcasters that will broadcast the contest.

They are: RTSH (Albania), AMPTV (Armenia), SBS (Australia), ORF (Austria), İctimai (Azerbaijan), RTBF (Belgium) BNT (Bulgaria), HRT (Croatia), CyBC (Cyprus), ČT (Czechia), DR (Denmark), ERR (Estonia), YLE (Finland), FT (France), GPB (Georgia), ARD/SWR (Germany), ERT (Greece), KAN (Israel), RAI (Italy), LSM (Latvia), LRT (Lithuania), RTL (Luxembourg), PBS (Malta), TRM (Moldova), RTCG (Montenegro), TVR (Romania), NRK (Norway), TVP (Poland), RTP (Portugal), SMRTV (San Marino), RTS (Serbia), SVT (Sweden), SRG SSR (Switzerland), Suspilne (Ukraine), and the BBC (United Kingdom)

Additionally, BNT (Bulgaria), TVR (Romania) and TRM (Moldova) will return to Eurovision after three, two, and one year absences respectively.

Martin Green CBE, the Director of the Eurovision Song Contest said in a statement: “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.

“Where people from many backgrounds can show that in a difficult world a better one is possible.”

Welcoming back Bulgaria, Romania, and Moldova, Green said: “Their return is a vivid reminder of the enduring power of the Eurovision Song Contest, and of what it truly means to be United by Music.”

The 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest will also see the return of juries for the first time sine 2022. Those scores will be combined with audiences votes to decide the 10 qualifying songs rom each Semi-Final.

This has been introduced as one way to “preserve the fairness, integrity and spirit of competition” the EBU has said.

There will also be “enhanced technical measures to detect and prevent coordinated or fraudulent voting activity”. This follows claims that Israel manipulated its votes in the 2025 event.

The EBU also said: “These changes reflect our commitment to ensuring the Eurovision Song Contest remains a neutral space to showcase of music, talent and unity – free from undue influence and grounded in transparency.”

Tickets for the live shows are due to go on sale on 13 January 2026. Register at eurovision.com/tickets before Thursday 18 December 2025.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will be held in Vienna.

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