Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026

Belgium is set to be represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 with the song "Dancing on the Ice", written by Nicolas d'Avell, Alice Van Eesbeeck, Barbara Petitjean, and Emil Stengele, and performed by Van Eesbeeck under her stage name Essyla. The Belgian participating broadcaster, Radio-télévision belge de la Communauté française (RTBF), internally selected its entry for the contest.

Prior to the 2026 contest, Belgium had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest sixty-six times since its debut as one of seven countries to take part in 1956, only missing the 1994, 1997, and 2001 editions.^[1] Since then, the country has won the contest on one occasion in 1986 with the song "J'aime la vie", performed by Sandra Kim. Following the introduction of semi-finals for 2004, Belgium had featured in nine finals. In 2025, "Strobe Lights" by Red Sebastian failed to qualify for the final.^[1]

The Belgian participation in the contest alternates between two broadcasters: Flemish Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie (VRT) and French-speaking Radio-télévision belge de la Communauté française (RTBF), with both broadcasters sharing broadcasting rights. Both broadcasters and their predecessors had selected the Belgian entries using national finals and internal selections in the past. In 2024, RTBF opted for an internal selection, while in 2025 VRT organised a national final.^[2] This year's participation was organized by RTBF. Initially on 7 July RTBF confirmed participation,^[3] however on 10 July 2025 it was announced participation was undecided as talks were continuing with the EBU but the selection process would continue.^[4][5] After the General Assembly on 4 December, RTBF confirmed participation.^[6][7]

During July and August 2025, rumours spread that Loïc Nottet, who represented Belgium in 2015, was selected to participate this year, but these were denied by RTBF.^[6][8] On 12 February, RTBF announced that it would reveal the selected artist and song on 19 February.^[9][10]

Essyla was revealed as the selected entrant with the song "Dancing on the Ice". It was written by Essyla together with Nicolas d'Avell, Barbara Petitjean, and Emil Stengele. The song was presented to the public on 19 February 2026, with a music video released on the official Eurovision YouTube channel.^[11][12]

On 17 February 2026, the unions at RTBF and VRT, namely the Centrale générale des services publics (CGSP) and Algemene Centrale der Openbare Diensten (ACOD), respectively, have called for both broadcasters to withdraw from the contest due to Israel's participation.^[13] The unions placed wooden figures in the broadcasters' shared building on Reyerslaan, displaying the message "Boycott Eurovision".^[14] The unions cited the humanitarian situation in Gaza and allegations from the previous year regarding the Israeli government's efforts to encourage voting for the country's entry.^[15]

The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will take place at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria, and consist of two semi-finals held on the respective dates of 12 and 14 May and the final on 16 May 2026. All nations with the exceptions of the host country and the "Big Four" (France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom) are required to qualify from one of two semi-finals in order to compete for the final; the top ten countries from each semi-final will progress to the final. On 12 January 2026, an allocation draw was held to determine which of the two semi-finals, as well as which half of the show, each country will perform in; the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) split up the competing countries into different pots based on voting patterns from previous contests, with countries with favourable voting histories put into the same pot.^[16] Belgium was scheduled for the second half of the first semi-final.^[17]