Slovakia will not be participating in Eurovision 2026.
The Slovak broadcaster has confirmed that Slovakia will not be returning to Eurovision in 2026, but they do not rule out a Eurovision return in the future. The main reasons for Slovakia’s non-participation in 2026 is management and financial problems.
Filip Púchovský, part of the STVR Marketing and Communications department, has provided an official statement to Refresher, in which he mentions that Slovakia’s Eurovision participation has been the subject of several different analyses in the past; However, these analyses have always highlighed the fact that the particpation costs (which includes licensing fees, production and logistics), are disproportionately high compared to the revenues and societal impact.
STVR also points out that Slovakia is a small country with a limited media market and public budget. Whilst other smaller countries do participate in Eurovision, some of them are only able to participate due to collaborations with the private sector, or through sponsors, neither of which Slovakia has done as of yet.
“For STVR, as a public institution, it is a priority to invest funds in original content, dramatic production, news and support for young talents on the domestic stage.”
However, despite all of this, the arrival of a new, duly elected management team at STVR, the broadcaster is planning to reconsider its participation in international projects, including Eurovision. As Filip Púchovský says: “It is not ruled out that, under favorable budgetary and dramaturgical conditions, Slovakia could return to this competition in the future.”
Slovakia in the Eurovision Song Contest
Slovakia intended to participate in Eurovision in 1993; however, they did not qualify from the qualification round Kvalifikacija za Millstreet. Their first Eurovision participation came in 1994 with Martin Ďurinda and Tublatanka. Slovakia had two further participations in the 1990s – 1996 and 1998, with their best result in 1996 where they finished in 18th place.
Due to a low score and placing in 1998, Slovakia was relegated from the 1999 contest. After initially being due to return in 2000, the broadcaster withdrew for financial reasons. After Czechia made their Eurovision debut in 2007, Programme Director for STV Peter Lipták, announced Slovakia would return in 2008. In the end, they did not return due to financial reasons.
Slovakia eventually returned to the contest in 2009 with Kamil Mikulčík and Nela Pocisková, who finished in 18th place in the semi final. Slovakia had three more participations in 2010, 2011 and 2012 before withdrawing again. Their best result came in 2011, when TWiiNS finished in 13th place in the semi final.
Are you surprised to see Slovakia not participating in Eurovision 2026, or was it something you were expecting? What is your favourite Slovakian entry in Eurovision? Let us know in the comments below!
Photo: eurovision.tv / EBU
