Iceland will not compete in Eurovision 2026

Following a board meeting today, Icelandic broadcaster RÚV have announced that Iceland will not be competing in Eurovision 2026.

This news follows on from the Eurovision Broadcasting Union's explosive General Assembly on 4 December 2025, where the major story has been the confirmation that Israel will participate at Eurovision 2026 and the accompanying news that Ireland, Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain will not.

A press release from the Icelandic broadcaster RÚV said:

"The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service has decided not to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria next year.

The participation of the Israeli public broadcaster, KAN, in the contest has recently caused disagreement, both among the member stations of the Association of European Broadcasters, EBU, and the general public. KAN's participation was discussed in detail at EBU meetings earlier this year, first in London this summer and in Geneva last week. At the meeting in Geneva, a large majority of the EBU's member stations agreed that various changes made to the rules and conduct of the competition were satisfactory and therefore there was no vote on KAN's participation in the competition.

At the meeting in Geneva, the broadcaster explained that although the changes were in line with many of the comments made by representatives of RÚV at various stages of the EBU cooperation in recent years, there were still doubts in RÚV's view as to their effectiveness. It had repeatedly been stated that stakeholders in Iceland, such as artists' associations, and the Icelandic public were opposed to participation in the competition. The board of RÚV had also requested that the EBU remove KAN from the competition on the basis of precedents. The case was complicated and had already damaged the reputation of the competition and the EBU. It was important to find a solution for all concerned.

It is clear, based on the public debate in Iceland and the reaction to the EBU's decision made last week, that there will be neither joy nor peace about RÚV's participation in Eurovision. It is therefore the conclusion of RÚV to notify the EBU today that RÚV will not participate in Eurovision next year.

Söngvakeppnin and Eurovision Song Contest have always had the goal of uniting the Icelandic nation, but now it is clear that that goal will not be achieved and on those agenda grounds this decision is made.

No decision has been made on whether Söngvakeppnin will be held by RÚV next year. The options available in the situation are being evaluated and a decision on this will be announced when it is available."

This news comes after Icelandic singer Björk weighed in on the Nordic nation's potential boycott from Eurovision and Logi Einarsson, Iceland's Minister of Culture, said it is his personal view that Iceland should not take part in the 2026 Contest, and that to do so would be "unfortunate" in present circumstances.

During the 95th EBU General Assembly held on Thursday 4 December, and following speeches by representatives from various countries, the new measures adopted by the EBU and the Reference Group were voted on. The new rules passed with 738 votes in favor, 264 against, and 120 abstentions.

For continued updates on all Eurovision Song Contest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, Threads and Instagram. All the links can be found at: https://linktr.ee/aussievisionnet