Portugal’s broadcaster RTP has not guaranteed the country’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, according to the new regulations for Festival da Canção, released today.
In last year’s rulebook, the prize for the winning entry of Festival da Canção was explicitly the right to represent Portugal at Eurovision, with travel, accommodation and preparations included. The 2025 regulation detailed obligations for the winning artist, including rehearsals, promotional work and a two-week stay at the host city.
However, the 2026 document introduces a significant change. It now states only that “the winning song becomes eligible to represent RTP at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026” — a shift that suggests the broadcaster is leaving open the possibility of not sending a Portuguese act to Vienna in May.
While some Portuguese media outlets instantly reported Portugal’s confirmation for Eurovision 2026, Hashtag Eurovision reached out to the broadcaster for clarification. Maria Ferreira, RTP’s Director of Music and Stage Arts and also Portugal’s Head of Press for Eurovision, clarified that the broadcaster has no legal obligation to confirm participation at this time, as the EBU has extended the official deadline until December. She also emphasized that the Festival da Canção will take place independently of Portugal’s participation in the contest.
The update comes at a time when several European broadcasters have announced they may boycott Eurovision 2026 if Israel participates. In recent days, the Dutch broadcaster Avrotros and Slovenia’s RTV confirmed their intention not to compete under those circumstances. Ireland’s broadcaster also declared its withdrawal if Israel remains in the contest, as well as Spain’s RTVE.
Eurovision’s executive supervisor Martin Green told AFP that every member broadcaster of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is free to decide whether or not to take part. “We understand the concerns and opinions regarding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East,” Green said, stressing that broadcasters have until mid-December to confirm their participation.
Portugal, a member of the EBU since 1950 through RTP, has been part of Eurovision since 1964, with one victory in 2017. For now, the broadcaster’s new rules leave its 2026 presence uncertain.
