Two countries of which the participation was not certain yet, neighbouring countries the Netherlands and Belgium, will compete in the Eurovision Song Contest 2027 in Burgas, Bulgaria.
The Netherlands
After a year of boycotting the contest, because of differences concerning the political character of the contest, and the conflict between Israel and Gaza, the Netherlands will return to the Eurovision stage.
During the 2026 contest season the Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS, part of the Dutch public broadcaster NPO, decided on not competing in Vienna, because the values of the contest could not be linked anymore to those of the family-friendly broadcaster AVROTROS.
Now the umbrella organization of the public Dutch broadcaster, NPO, will ensure a participant, and the NOS, also part of the Dutch broadcasting organization will oversee the broadcasting of the semi-finals, final, and preview shows. The NOS will also provide a commentator.
That this is possible is because the Dutch national broadcaster consists of more than one organization, which is different way of handling public broadcasting matters than in other (European) countries.
Belgium
In 2027 it is up to the Flemish-speaking part of Belgium to send a participant to the contest. During the 2026 Eurovision season, the French-speaking part (Wallonia) chose to participate, because it was their turn to send a contestant; the Flemish-speaking part of Belgium stated that it would not have sent a contestant, because of the participation of Israel. Belgium sends a contestant on a rotating basis: one year from the Flemish-speaking part of the country, the next from the French-speaking part of Belgium.
For the 2027 season Flanders decided on competing, although they had reservations beforehand. Belgium did have several meetings with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) about things they wanted to see changed before they would participate, among them were the rules for participation, voting, and juries, and MoroccanoOil withdrawing as the contest’s main sponsor.
Because of time constraints Flanders will not opt for a national final, as they usually did, but they will find their contestant internally.
Eurovision 2027
The 2027 Eurovision Song Contest will take place in the coastal city of Burgas in Bulgaria, on May 11, 13, and 15 2027.