As the Netherlands continues its boycott of Eurovision in the wake of the 2026 edition, broadcaster MAX has said it is interested to participate on behalf of the Netherlands if current holder AVROTROS decides to pull out permanently.
AVROTROS to make decision in June
The Netherlands was one of five countries to boycott this year’s Eurovision after Israel was allowed to participate in the show. Ultimately, Dutch viewers were able to watch the show as a commentary team was sent to Vienna on behalf of NPO, another public broadcaster part of the EBU.
Now, a week on from the final of Eurovision 2026, Dutch broadcaster MAX, another member of the Omroep, said that should AVROTROS decide to stay out of Eurovision for another year, they would be willing to handle participation. In a statement provided to the AD, MAX Director-General Jan Slagter said this would only happen if non-participation was guaranteed. He explained:
The NPO would have to provide financial support. The Eurovision Song Contest is important for the Netherlands, and actually, I think we should just participate with an artist.
While we also condemn actions by the Israeli government, that does not have to lead to a boycott. Should AVROTROS decide not to go again, I would certainly be willing to sit down with the NPO. But we are not going to pay for this out of our own coffers. In that case, the NPO will have to contribute a substantial amount to the events budget to provide financial support.
Other broadcasters within Omroep have expressed no interest in taking on Dutch participation at Eurovision next year. AVROTROS is expected to make a decision on whether it will maintain its boycott of the Contest in the middle of June. They previously had said they were waiting on further evaluations from other broadcasters, as well as the EBU itself.
Netherlands’ Eurovision journey
The Netherlands are one of the founding countries of the ESC, having performed the very first song ever on the Eurovision stage back in 1956. While the result of “De Vogels van Holland” is unknown, the Netherlands have garnered 5 wins, with their most recent in 2019. However the Netherlands are also known to have had the longest ever non qualification streak in the semi-final era – they missed out on the final a whopping 8 times between 2005 and 2012.
Claude represented the Netherlands in 2025 with the song “C’est La Vie”. Competing in the first semi-final, he eventually qualified for the final in Basel. In the final, the Netherlands would eventually finish in 12th place with 175 points. 133 of these points came from the juries, while the remaining 42 came from the televote.
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News Source: AD / Songfestivalweblog
Photo Credit: MAX
Samantha 
Silvia Stifini