RTL secures €2 million annual funding, confirming Luxembourg’s Eurovision participation through 2029

Luxembourg’s national broadcaster RTL has officially confirmed the country’s participation in Eurovision 2027, set to take place in Bulgaria next May, as well as in the 2028 and 2029 editions of the contest. The announcement comes after months of uncertainty surrounding the project’s funding. The financial crisis has now been fully resolved after the Luxembourgish government approved an annual allocation of €2 million for Eurovision participation.

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Government Increases Eurovision Budget

Since returning to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2024, Luxembourg has participated with an annual budget of €1.6 million. That amount occasionally proved insufficient, with the project exceeding its budget by approximately €70,000 in 2025.

According to Luxembourg’s Ministry of Culture, “The annual budget for the Eurovision Song Contest has been increased to €2 million in order to strengthen the Eurovision ecosystem, which is now firmly established in Luxembourg, and to enable partnerships with new national partners.”

RTL Commits to the Contest Until 2029

In a statement released before the budget increase was officially approved, RTL had already confirmed that Luxembourg would participate not only in Eurovision 2027 but also in the 2028 and 2029 editions.

“Luxembourg welcomes the government’s decision to approve the country’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest for the next three editions. This decision provides the visibility and stability needed to continue developing the Eurovision project in Luxembourg and to strengthen the country’s presence on the European music scene.”

The broadcaster added:

“Since returning to the competition in 2024, Luxembourg has regained its place at one of the world’s biggest entertainment events. RTL intends to continue this momentum by offering a project that unites the public while encouraging creativity, cultural diversity, and increasing Luxembourg’s visibility beyond its borders.”

RTL, which is responsible for selecting Luxembourg’s Eurovision entry and organizing the country’s national selection, emphasized that it does not generate profits from the project and that its motivation for participating is purely cultural. As a private broadcaster, RTL must also comply with strict European Broadcasting Union requirements to maintain both its membership and eligibility to compete.

Most of the Budget Goes to the National Selection

Elisabeth Conter, Eurovision Project Manager at RTL, explained the reasoning behind the increased funding:

“In recent years, production costs, technical resources, and the overall quality of events have increased. These expenses come in addition to staging costs, international promotion, transportation, accommodation, and support for the delegation.”

Conter added that “the revised budget will allow RTL to organize a national selection and a Eurovision participation that meet international standards.”

Approximately 70% of Luxembourg’s Eurovision budget is invested in producing the “Luxembourg Song Contest”, while the remaining 30% is allocated to the country’s Eurovision performance itself.

With funding now guaranteed through 2029, Luxembourg has secured one of the longest financial commitments to the Eurovision Song Contest among participating nations, providing RTL with long-term stability to further develop its national selection and international ambitions.