Eurovision viewing figures dropped this year amid boycott of competition, but digital engagement rose

Viewing figures of this year’s Eurovision were down significantly compared to last year, after five countries boycotted the 2026 contest due to Israel’s participation.

The European Broadcasting Union releases viewership figures showing that 131 million people watched as Bulgaria took the win in Vienna, Austria, last month, compared to 166 million viewers who tuned into the 2025 contest. However, this year’s figure was still higher than all of the competitions that aired between 2009 and 2023, the EBU says.

“While some of our figures are naturally lower without those of our five members who chose not to participate this year, we remain committed to doing everything possible to find pathways back for them in 2027,” says Martin Green, the director of the Eurovision song contest.

Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain all dropped out of this year’s contest to protest Israel’s ongoing inclusion. Only the Netherlands and Iceland still aired the competition.

The EBU says that in 14 of the participating countries, more than 50 percent of all TV viewers tuned into the competition, with the highest market share in Finland, where 92.8% watched, and then Sweden, where 85.5% of viewers were tuned in.

Despite the decline in viewers, the EBU says that digital engagement with Eurovision content soared, with views on TikTok during the week of the show up 33% compared to 2025, engagement on Instagram 3.25% higher than last year and content on Facebook seeing a 23% increase.

Despite boycotting the contest and not airing the show, voters from the Netherlands, Spain and Ireland were among the top 10 countries participating in the “rest of the world” vote during the semifinals and grand final, along with the US, Canada and others.

Israel finished second at this year’s competition with Noam Bettan’s “Michelle,” and next year’s competition is slated to be held in Bulgaria.