Will Hungary ever return to Eurovision?
- Samuel Lee
- May 18
- 3 min read
Hungary has been absent from Eurovision since 2019, after its broadcaster Médiaszolgáltatás-támogató és Vagyonkezelő Alap (MTVA) withdrew.
Since then, MTVA has not even broadcast the contest, let alone reconsidered participation.
That may all change after now after this year's Hungarian parliamentary elections that ended Viktor Orbán’s long-running right-wing government, with Péter Magyar and his more pro-European Tisza party taking power after a landslide victory. Since the previous government had pulled Hungary out of the Eurovision Song Contest, many fans now believe the new leadership could mean a return to the competition in the next few years is imminent.
In addition, with Bulgaria, an eastern-European country winning, this seems all that more likely that Hungary, and other eastern countries, may make a return to the Contest in Sofia 2027.
Let's unpack Hungary's participation, withdrawal and possible return to Eurovision.
Hungary's Eurovision participation
Hungary was arguably one of the most eclectic countries when it came to Eurovision.
Over the years they have sent many unique entries spanning the genres of heavy metal, blues, folk and dance.
The country made its debut at Eurovision in 1994, with Friderika performing Kinek mondjam el vétkeimet? (English translation: To whom shall I tell my sins?)
This beautiful ballad remains Hungary's best Eurovision placing, reaching 4th position.
Hungary has competed at Eurovision 19 times. Its participation has been rather erratic, with the country withdrawing from the contest several times, including a significant absence from 1999 to 2004.
Joci Pápai is currently the last Hungarian Eurovision participant.
In 2019, he competed with the Hungarian folk-inspired song Az én apám (English translation: My Father) which failed to qualify for the Grand Final.
Withdrawal
In 2020, before the contest was cancelled that year due to the COVID pandemic, Hungary's Eurovision broadcaster MTVA decided to no longer participate.
The official reason stated by the broadcaster was that they wanted to invest more money in promoting local talent domestically, rather than paying the costs of competing at an international competition.
The competition used to select Hungary's Eurovision entrant A Dal (English translation: The Song), has continued to be broadcast on MTVA's main TV channel Duna since the country's Eurovision withdrawal.
However, many international news outlets speculated that the real reason for Hungary's withdrawal was that Eurovision was viewed as "too gay" by the Orbán government. This was denied by a government spokesperson.
Hungary's withdrawal from the contest coincided with a rise in anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric in the central European country. Several conservative commentators applauded their country's decision to no longer participate.
Hungary has been sorely missed by many Eurovision fans who appreciated the diversity and quality the country brought to the contest.
It is interesting to note that the national selection format used to choose Hungary's Eurovision Song Contest representative since 2012 (A DAL), is still ran and broadcast today, as a standalone competition.
Possible return?
To channel another central European country, Hope Never Dies, that Hungary will return to Eurovision.
Péter Magyar, the new Prime Minister of Hungary had previously made extremely positive comments regarding Eurovision.
When asked by a young man whether Hungary would return to Eurovision under a government led by him, Magyar responded:
"I don't know if it's the government's responsibility, but if it is we will do it ... it's wrong that we do not participate and we shouldn't have withdrawn."
The young man who asked Magyar the question also noted that Hungary is not excluded from the Contest by the EBU like Russia or Belarus, nor has it withdrawn due to financial reasons like many other countries.
This response by Magyar was remarkable as opinion polling did suggest that he was likely to form a government when Hungary held its next parliamentary elections in April 2026. It was said that if Magyar were to become Prime Minister in April 2026, Hungary would likely return to Eurovision in 2027.
Could Hungary return?
Magyar's comments and new Government certainly gives hope that Hungary will return to the contest in the near future.
The worlds of many Eurovision fans would spin if Hungary made its glorious return to the competition.
On that note, we leave you with Hungary's similarly titled and iconic 2005 entry Forogj, világ! (English translation: Spin, world!)
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