The Netherlands still hasn’t decided whether it will return to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027, but the NPO now has a little more time to figure things out.
NPO still looking for a way back to Eurovision
The NPO was originally expected to confirm its participation by 15 September. However, with no broadcaster lined up to take over from AVROTROS, the NPO asked the EBU for more time.
That request has now been granted, with an NPO spokesperson telling AD that the broadcaster hopes to have more clarity before the end of September.
The NPO is currently looking for a way to send a Dutch entry to Eurovision 2027 despite AVROTROS stepping away from the competition.
AVROTROS confirmed in August that it would not participate in Eurovision 2027, arguing that the EBU’s recent changes had not restored its confidence in the Contest’s neutrality. The broadcaster also returned responsibility for the Netherlands’ Eurovision participation to the NPO.
Who could take over?
Finding a broadcaster willing to take on the Eurovision job has proved rather complicated. Omroep MAX, KRO-NCRV and BNNVARA have all ruled themselves out of taking over the responsibility, while production company Talpa has offered to organise a national final.
The NPO has not yet confirmed how it plans to proceed, but it now has until the end of September to provide more clarity.
Netherland’s Eurovision journey
The Netherlands are one of the founding countries of Eurovision, having performed the very first song ever on the Contest stage back in 1956. While the result of “De Vogels van Holland” is unknown, the Netherlands have garnered 5 wins. Their most recent win came in 2019, seeing them host the 2021 contest after the 2020 edition was cancelled due to Covid. However, the Netherlands are also known to have had the longest ever non qualification streak in the semi-final era. The country missed out on the Grand Final 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. The nation withdrew from the 2026 Contest due to Israel’s participation.
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News source: AD
Photo credit: Corinne Cumming / EBU
Tim J