Eurovision 2026 has been thrown into chaos after multiple countries have boycotted the competition due to Israel’s participation. The annual singing competition, which Austria won this year, will take place in Vienna in May 2026. Spain, Slovenia, Ireland, and the Netherlands have announced their withdrawal after it was revealed Israel will participate in the Eurovision 2026 contest. The European Broadcasting Union’s general assembly met on Thursday, which organises Eurovision, and it was reported that members had shown “clear support for reforms to reinforce trust and protect neutrality”. 

Notably, Spain is one of the Big Five countries that contribute the most financially to the contest. The others are France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy. Spanish national broadcaster RTVE has confirmed that it will withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. Furthermore, Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS has also followed Spain’s footsteps.

RTÉ has also confirmed yesterday that Ireland will not participate in Eurovision 2026. Slovenia’s national broadcaster, RTVSLO, has also confirmed it will withdraw from the competition.

RTÉ stated: “Following today’s EBU Winter General Assembly in Geneva at which Israel’s participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest was confirmed, RTÉ’s position remains unchanged. RTÉ will not participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, nor will RTÉ broadcast the competition.”

Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS stated that Israel’s participation “is no longer compatible with the responsibility we bear as a public broadcaster”.

RTVE’s Secretary General, Alfonso Morales, said during the EBU’s general assembly: “We would like to express our serious doubts about the participation of Israeli broadcaster KAN in Eurovision 2026.”

Earlier this year, it was reported that more than 70 former Eurovision contestants signed a letter calling on organisers to ban Israel from participating in the 2025 singing contest.

Meanwhile, the UK’s Eurovision performances over the last few years have been mixed. This year, the UK entry, Remember Monday’s performance in Basel, had a similar outcome. The band finished in 19th place with 88 points, but all of their points came from the jury vote.

A leading music expert has developed the world’s happiest Christmas car playlist, said to be ‘guaranteed’ to keep everyone smiling. Dr. Claire Renfrew, a music psychologist, sifted through hours of festive tracks to find the perfect songs, with each one adhering to a scientific formula.

The tune that scientifically hits all the right notes is Brenda Lee’s ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’—although a survey of 2,000 motorists who celebrate Christmas found that Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ (45%) is the track that makes them happiest.

Other songs that fit the formula include ‘Feliz Navidad’ by José Feliciano, ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ by Bobby Helms, and ‘Holly Jolly Christmas’ by Michael Bublé, along with classics like ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday’ by Wizzard.

As a result, Dr. Renfrew has created the ‘World’s Happiest Christmas Car Playlist by Fiat’. The 25-track playlist is designed to bring joy to drivers during the holidays and help combat the stress of traveling.

The playlist, available for free on Spotify, is ranked in order of how closely each song fits the scientific formula.

Dr. Renfrew said: “Christmas songs can have a surprisingly powerful positive impact on us psychologically. Not only do Christmas songs boost our moods, they reduce stress, evoke nostalgia, enhance social bonding, and increase energy.”

She added that they also “trigger joyful anticipation and improve emotional regulation, making them powerful psychological tools for happiness and festive well-being.”

The poll, conducted via OnePoll.com, found that 54% of those driving home for Christmas consider it one of the best moments of the season. Yet, despite it being a highlight, 47% believe it’s the most stressful time to be on the roads.

More than one in ten (13%) said they will be on the road for longer than an hour, with most travelling by car with their partner and children. To help keep children entertained on the journey, 76% said they will listen to Christmas songs.

Victoria Hatfield of FIAT UK, which commissioned the research following the launch of its Grande Panda in the UK, said: “Happiness is part of our brand ethos and we believe that driving home for Christmas doesn’t need to be stressful, but should be celebrated as the start of the festive period”

“By getting the right playlist and plans in place, you can have a magical and stress-free drive home ahead of the big day.”

So, what’s the secret recipe for a dopamine-boosting Christmas song? According to Dr. Renfrew’s formula, the happiest festive tunes have a few things in common:

• They’re in a major key (think bright and cheerful!)

• Feature energetic vocals and instruments

• Have a tempo between 100 and 140 beats per minute

• Include a simple, catchy chorus

• And often follow a classic structure: Verse > Chorus > Verse > Chorus > Instrumental > Chorus

The last few years for Eurovision have been brutal. Not for the United Kingdom, where we have got used to the dreaded ‘nul points’ and picking up the undesirable position of last place, but for the whole of the contest itself. The recent boycott from countries such as Ireland, the Netherlands, and Spain chronicles a terrible year for Eurovision. Earlier this year, it was reported that more than 70 former Eurovision contestants signed a letter calling on organisers to ban Israel from participating in the 2025 singing contest. What’s more, Russia has been excluded from the song contest since 2022 following the country’s invasion of Ukraine. 

I never cared for Eurovision, but due to all this chaos, I’ve become invested in it over the last few years. Could this be the end of Eurovision – or just a stress test? Here are five key reasons why the song contest will struggle to recover from the mass boycott.

1. Less competition

The irony of all these countries boycotting Eurovision is that it increases the chances of Israel actually winning due to how points are tabulated relatively. Eurovision Tel Aviv 2027 could be a likely outcome. After all, Israel came in second place this year, having won the televote.

Notably, Spain is one of the Big Five countries that contribute the most financially to the contest. A founding member is out. The others are France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy. Oh wow. This is messy.

2. Will fans boycott the competition? 

There were times when Eurovision used to spark joy, but in recent years, those times now feel so distant. The Eurovision fandom is huge, and this latest round of boycotts could be the final nail in the coffin. Disheartened followers can mean a lack of enthusiasm, which could be detrimental to the contest. So much for unity.

3. More countries could potentially boycott

With four nations confirming their withdrawal, other countries are likely to follow suit. Icelandic broadcaster RÚV said it would hold a meeting next Wednesday to discuss whether Iceland would participate.

Meanwhile, other broadcasters, such as RTP from Portugal and YLE from Finland, have instead confirmed that they will be present in Vienna.

4. Reality show drama 

It’s unfortunate that Eurovision, which began in 1956 as a means to bridge cultural divides, has evolved into this. It has become the very thing that is intended to be avoided. Instead of celebrating music and talent, it’s become a reality TV show. It’s not the same as it was 10 years ago, and it’ll probably worsen over time.

5. 2026 will be more tense 

It’s too late to postpone or cancel the 2026 contest, which will take place in Vienna, Austria, in May. Each of the past two competitions has somehow become increasingly tense, less enjoyable, and more of a train wreck than the prior Eurovision. It’s one low after the other. At this point, just make another song contest that’s actually about singing. Then everyone is happy.