VRT confirms Belgium will participate in Eurovision 2027 after discussions with the EBU over Israel and changes to the Contest’s rules.
Belgium has officially confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2027. The decision comes after Flemish national broadcaster VRT received additional time from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to decide whether it would take part, amid concerns over participating alongside Israel. VRT has now given a positive response, while maintaining reservations over several issues.
According to VRT, the national broadcaster had remained in ongoing dialogue with the EBU regarding concerns it had previously raised, with Israel’s participation at the centre of the dispute. VRT had once again questioned whether a country involved in a large-scale military conflict should be able to continue participating in Eurovision, and called on the EBU to provide clearer and more transparent rules and criteria for determining which countries are eligible to participate.
VRT explains its decision
VRT published an official statement on social media:
“VRT will participate in Eurovision next year. VRT wants to give the EBU the opportunity to restore the original values of the Song Contest, such as connection, mutual understanding and the desire for peace. However, last year the public broadcaster set two requirements for the EBU: a clear statement against war and violence, and a clear framework regarding which countries are allowed to participate. According to VRT, the EBU has taken significant steps regarding the rules on participation, voting and judging, and the sponsorship of the Contest.”
Frederik Delaplace, CEO of VRT, said:
“Participation is in no way an endorsement or normalization of what is happening in Gaza and elsewhere in the world. We do not want to run away from the debate, but rather remain in dialogue with each other. In this way, we believe that the Song Contest can soon once again have meaning for everyone who is suffering from war and violence these days.”
Last year, Belgium’s French-speaking national broadcaster RTBF faced a similar dilemma and was quick to deny the possibility of returning to Eurovision on its behalf. Responsibility then passed to Flemish national broadcaster VRT, which has now confirmed its participation. Belgium’s broadcasters alternate Eurovision participation between VRT and RTBF, with VRT responsible in odd-numbered years.
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Belgium joins the Netherlands in confirming participation
The confirmation comes shortly after the Netherlands also secured a route to Eurovision 2027 participation. AVROTROS announced in August that it would not participate because it considered the Contest no longer neutral while Israel remains involved in a large-scale military conflict. The Dutch national public broadcasting organisation NPO subsequently took responsibility for determining the country’s participation.
NPO is the umbrella organisation for the Dutch public broadcasting system. NOS, one of the organisations operating within the system, has previously been involved in providing Eurovision coverage and commentary when AVROTROS was not participating.
With Belgium now confirming its participation, VRT becomes one of the national broadcasters that has chosen to remain in Eurovision 2027 while continuing to raise concerns about the EBU’s approach to Israel’s participation and the rules governing the Contest.
Belgium at Eurovision 2026
“Dancing on the Ice” is the song that will be performed by the singer Essyla, who will represent Belgium as song number 11 in the first semi final on May 12th, in Vienna, Austria. The song was written by Essyla herself, alongside songwriter Barbara Petitjean. The song is performed entirely in English.
Currently, Belgium is ranked 28th in the betting tables ahead of Eurovision 2026.
Eurovision 2026: This will be Belgium’s 67th participation in the contest. Belgium joined Eurovision in 1956 as one of its seven founding nations. The country’s best result came in 1986, when Sandra Kim won first place with “J’aime la vie”.
