North Macedonia’s national broadcaster MRT recommends skipping Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria, amid financial challenges and plans to strengthen local music festivals instead.
Following a report suggesting North Macedonia might return to the contest, the programming board of the national broadcaster MRT, has officially recommended not sending an entry to Eurovision 2026, hinting at a more realistic target of 2027. The decision, made after broad deliberations about the financial implications and strategic direction, has shaken the fan community and reignited discussion about the affordability of participation for smaller nations.
MRT Recommends Focusing Locally
The board meeting, held on October 27th, underscored MRT’s acknowledgment of Eurovision’s enormous potential as a cultural and promotional platform for North Macedonia. However, as stated in the board’s report, achieving that goal requires “a clear strategy, thorough preparation, and proper production and financial support” — resources that are currently limited.
Instead, the board’s main recommendation is to bolster the domestic music scene. The broadcaster aims to reinvigorate long-standing local festivals such as the Skopje Festival, which historically served as the selection platform for North Macedonia’s Eurovision entries in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002–2004, 2008–2011, and 2015. The dilemma is evident: Eurovision provides invaluable global exposure, yet neglecting local talent infrastructure could harm the country’s creative ecosystem in the long run. The choice represents a balance between strategic investment and immediate visibility.
Eurovision: Celebration for Rich Countries Only?
Withdrawal from Eurovision for economic reasons is a recurring theme throughout the contest’s history. While North Macedonia’s base participation fees are relatively low, the total expense quickly rises due to delegation logistics, song production, and video creation. In 2024, North Macedonia’s potential return was under serious consideration when MRT released its 2024 annual budget, allocating 1.5 million Macedonian denars (around 24,400 euros) for participation in both the Junior Eurovision 2023 and Eurovision 2024. However, the proposal never materialized.
North Macedonia last participated in Eurovision in 2022 and withdrew afterward due to financial difficulties. Nevertheless, the country continues to take part in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest and has already chosen its representative for the upcoming edition. Moreover, last month MRT confirmed that it will broadcast Eurovision 2026 despite the uncertainty surrounding its participation. The decision to air the event highlights that the public broadcaster still views Eurovision as a major cultural occasion for its audience.
Strategic Opportunity: Stronger Comeback in 2027?
This recommendation is not necessarily a final withdrawal but rather part of an internal reassessment. Setting sights on Eurovision 2027 might prove prudent: it allows MRT to develop a comprehensive contest strategy, secure appropriate funding, and select a representative with greater planning and professionalism. This model mirrors the approach of other nations that returned successfully after hiatuses — as demonstrated by Luxembourg, which rejoined in 2024, achieving renewed success after conducting a detailed financial and artistic evaluation. The final decision now rests with the MRT board, which is expected to determine the country’s Eurovision 2026 participation by mid-December.
North Macedonia in Eurovision 2022
Andrea represented North Macedonia with her song “Circles” after winning the local national final. She competed in the second semi-final and finished in 11th place with 76 points.
Eurovision 2022: This was North Macedonia’s 21st participation in Eurovision. North Macedonia joined the competition in 1998 and achieved its best result in Eurovision 2019 when singer Tamara Todevska finished in seventh place with the song “Proud”.
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Ilay Gaist is a leading Israeli content creator and writer specializing in the Eurovision Song Contest. He is a well-known commentator with extensive expertise in the contest’s history, rules, and dynamics. His passion for Eurovision drives him to deliver rich, professional, and innovative content to his audience.
Ilay holds a bachelor’s degree in Arabic and has a multilingual background. He also engages in cultural research, with a particular focus on global culinary traditions and the evolution of local cuisines around the world.
