RTE, the Irish national broadcaster, has announced that it will be not broadcast the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if Ireland doesn’t participate in the contest next year.
Yesterday RTE released a statement regarding Ireland’s participation at Eurovision 2026 stating that Ireland will not compete at next year’s Eurovision edition in Vienna if Israel’s participation goes ahead.
Hereafter RTE confirmed during its evening news bulletin that it will not broadcast the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if Ireland withdraws from the contest.
RTE will make a final decision regarding its Eurovision 2026 participation when the EBU’s decision regarding Israel is made.
The EBU has given broadcasters an extension until mid December to make their final decision on competing at ESC 2026 or withdraw their application without suffering a financial penalty.
Ireland debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1965 and has won the competition a record 7 times, a record it shares with Sweden. The country has also hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 7 times, six of them in Dublin.
The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled to be held on 12, 14 and 16 May in Vienna, Austria.
