The Netherlands is one of the most active participants in Eurovision contests, from every edition of Junior Eurovision to Eurovision Song Contest victories, the country has a big legacy across its formats.
Netherlands in Eurovision
The Netherlands was one of the first countries to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1956. Since its debut, they have won the contest five times and hosted five editions of the contest.
- 1956 – Jetty Pael – “De vogels van Holland“
- 1956 – Corry Brokken – “Voorgoed voorbij“
- 1957 – Corry Brokken – “Net als toen” – 1st – 31 points
- 1958 (Host) – Corry Brokken – “Heel de wereld” – 9th – 1 point
- 1959 – Teddy Scholten – “Een beetje” – 1st – 21 points
- 1960 – Rudi Carrell – “Wat een geluk” – 12th – 2 points
- 1961 – Greetje Kauffeld – “Wat een dag” – 10th – 6 points
- 1962 – De Spelbrekers – “Katinka” – 13th – 0 points
- 1963 – Annia Palmen – “Een speeldoos” – 13th – 0 points
- 1964 – Anneke Grönloh – “Jij bent mijn eleven” – 10th – 2 points
- 1965 – Conny Vandenbos – “Het is genoeg” – 11th – 5 points
- 1966 – Milly Scott – “Fernando en Philippo” – 15th – 2 points
- 1967 – Thérèse Steinmetz – “Ringe-dinge” – 14th – 2 points
- 1968 – Ronnie Tober – “Morgen” – 16th – 1 point
- 1969 – Lenny Kuhr – “De troubadour” – 1st – 18 points
- 1970 (Host) – The Hearts of Soul – “Waterman” – 7th – 7 points
- 1971 – Saskia and Serge – “Tijd” – 6th – 85 points
- 1972 – Sandra and Andres – “Als het om de liefde gaat” – 4th – 106 points
- 1973 – Ben Cramer – “De oude muzikant” – 14th – 69 points
- 1974 – Mouth and MacNeal – “I See a Star” – 3rd – 15 points
- 1975 – Teach-In – “Ding-a-dong” – 1st – 152 points
- 1976 (Host) – Sandra Reemer – “The Party Is Over Now” – 9th – 56 points
- 1977 – Heddy Lester – “De mallemolen” – 12th – 35 points
- 1978 – Haromey – “‘t Is Ok” – 13th – 37 points
- 1979 – Xandra – “Colorado” – 12th – 51 points
- 1980 (Host) – Maggie MacNeal – “Amsterdam” – 5th – 93 points
- 1981 – Linda Williams – “Het is een wonder” – 9th – 51 points
- 1982 – Bill van Dijk – “Jej en ik” – 16th – 8 points
- 1983 – Bernadette – “Sing Me a Song” – 7th – 66 points
- 1984 – Maribelle – “Ik hou van jou” – 13th – 34 points
- 1986 – Frizzle Sizzle – “Alles heeft ritme” – 13th – 40 points
- 1987 – Marcha – “Rechtop in de wind” – 5th – 83 points
- 1988 – Gerard Joling – “Shangri-La” – 9th – 70 points
- 1989 – Justine Pelmelay – “Blijf zoals je bent” – 15th – 45 points
- 1990 – Maywood – “Ik wil alles met je delen” – 15th – 25 points
- 1992 – Humphrey Campbell – “Wijs me de weg” – 9th – 67 points
- 1993 – Ruth Jacott – “Vrede” – 6th – 92 points
- 1994 – Willeke Alberti – “Waar is de zon” – 23rd – 4 points
- 1996 – Maxine and Franklin Brown – “De eerste keer” – 7th – 78 points
- 1997 – Mrs. Einstein – “Niemand heeft nog tijd” – 22nd – 5 points
- 1998 – Edsilia – “Hemel en aarde” – 4th – 150 points
- 1999 – Marlayne – “One Good Reason” – 8th – 71 points
- 2000 – Linda Wagenmakers – “No Goodbyes” – 13th – 40 points
- 2001 – Michelle – “Out on My Own” – 18th – 16 points
- 2003 – Esther Hart – “One More Night” – 13th – 45 points
- 2004 – Re-union – “Without You” – 20th – 11 points
- 2005 – Glennis Grace – “My Impossible Dream” – 14th in the Semi-Final – 53 points
- 2006 – Treble – “Amambanda” – 20th in the Semi-Final – 22 points
- 2007 – Edsilia Rombley – “On Top of the World” – 21st in the Semi-Fianl – 38 points
- 2008 – Hind – “Your Heart Belongs to Me” – 13th in the Semi-Final – 27 points
- 2009 – The Toppers – “Shine” – 17th in the Semi-Final – 11 points
- 2010 – Sieneke – “Ik ben verliefd (Sha-la-lie)” – 14th in the Semi-Final – 29 points
- 2011 – 3JS – “Never Alone” – 19th in the Semi-Final – 13 points
- 2012 – Joan Franka – “You and Me” – 15th in the Semi-Final – 35 points
- 2013 – Anouk – “Birds” – 9th – 114 points
- 2014 – The Common Linnets – “Calm After the Storm” – 2nd – 238 points
- 2015 – Trijntje Oosterhuis – “Walk Along” – 14th in the Semi-Final – 33 points
- 2016 – Douwe Bob – “Slow Down” – 11th – 153 points
- 2017 – OG3NE – “Lights and Shadows ” – 11th – 150 points
- 2018 – Waylon – “Outlaw in ‘Em” – 18th – 121 points
- 2019 – Duncan Laurence – “Arcade” – 1st – 498 points
- 2020 (Host) – Jeangu Macrooy – “Grow” – Contest canceled due to COVID-19
- 2021 (Host) – Jeangu Macrooy – “Birth of a New Age” – 23rd – 11 points
- 2022 – S10 – “De dipete” – 11th – 171 points
- 2023 – Mia Nicolai and Dion Cooper – “Burning Daylight” – 13th in the Semi-Final – 7 points
- 2024 – Joost Klein – “Europapa” – Qualified for the final but was disqualified following an incident at the Semi-Final backstage
- 2025 – Claude – “C’est la vie” – 12th – 175 points
In 1985 and 1991 the Netherlands did not compete due to the contest falling on the annual Remembrance of the Dead commemorations in the country. In 1995 and 2002, the Netherlands failed to qualify for the contest due to poor results the previous year. The Netherlands will not participate in Eurovision 2026 in protest against Israel’s continued participation in the contest.
Netherlands and other Eurovision family events
The Netherlands has been one of the most active participants in the wider Eurovision family of events, and has hosted three of the competition formats.
Eurovision Dance Contest
The Netherlands competed in both editions of the Eurovision Dance Contest, being among the sixteen countries to compete in the first edition. The Netherland’s results were:
- 2007 – Alexandra Matteman and Redmond Valk – 12th – 34 points
- 2008 – Thomas Berge and Roemjana De Haan – 14th – 1 point
Eurovision Magic Circus Show
The Netherlands participated in all three editions of the Eurovision Magic Circus Show in 2012. The event was held between 2010 and 2012 featuring children aged between 6 and 15 years old. The competition was hosted by the Swiss broadcaster RTS and took place in a circus tent of Circus Pajazzo in Chêne-Bougeries.
- 2010 – Kim & Siard – Gymnastics
- 2010 – Nigel – Juggler
- 2010 – Selina – Gymnastics
- 2011 – Tight Rope – Tight Rope
- 2011 – Dancing Dragon – Acrobatics
- 2011 – Illusionist
- 2012 – The Magic Box – Comic acrobatics
- 2012 – Cops & Robbers – Acrobatics and juggling
Read more below:
Eurovision Talent Contest
The Eurovision Talent Contest was launched as the sixth spin-off contest of the Eurovision brand at the end of 2007. The aim was to “Uncover the best, most unique and surprising talents wherever they may be in a pan-European event set up along competitive lines and keying into the most powerful elements of the Eurovision brand and formula.” NOP of Netherlands was one of three broadcasters to sign up to participate, read more below:
Eurovision Young Dancers
The Netherlands debuted in Eurovision Young Dancers in 1985 and made its last appearance in the contest in 2015. In 2003, the contest was hosted in Amsterdam and the Stadsschouwburg with 17 countries competing including the debut of Armenia and Romania.
- 1985 – Jeanette den Blijker and Ruben Brugman
- 1987 – Bart de Block and Marieke Simons
- 1989 – Gaby Baars and Léon Pronk
- 1991 – Boris de Leeuw
- 1999 – Ernst Meisner
- 2001 – Maartje Hermans and Golan Yosef – 3rd
- 2003 – Joeri Dubbe – 3rd in the Contemporary Category – 856 points
- 2005 – Milou Nuyens – 1st
- 2011 – Floor Eimers
- 2013 – Sedrig Verwoert – 1st
- 2015 – Thijs Hogenboom
Eurovision Young Musicians
The Netherlands debuted in Eurovision Young Musicians in 1984 and has participated in twelve editions of the contest. In 1988 the contest was held in Amsterdam at the Concertgebouw, 16 countries competed in the contest with Cyprus and Spain debuting.
- 1984 – Isabelle van Keulen (Violin) – 1st
- 1986 – Pauline Oostenrijk (Oboe) – Did not qualify for the final
- 1988 (Host) – Wibi Soerjadi (Piano) – Did not qualify for the final
- 1990 – Niek van Oosterum (Piano) – 1st
- 1992 – Participant unknown
- 2000 – Gwyneth Wentink (Harp)
- 2002 – Fleur Bouverie (Clarinet) – Did not qualify for the final
- 2004 – Felicia van den End (Flute) – Did not qualify for the final
- 2006 – Kate Sebring (Piano) – Did not qualify for the final
- 2008 – Steven Bourne (Cello)
- 2010 – Dana Zemtsov (Viola) – Did not qualify for the final
- 2012 – Ella van Poucke (Cello) – Did not qualify for the final
- 2014 – Lucie Horsch (Recorder)
Junior Eurovision Song Contest
The Netherlands is the only country to have participated in every edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. The country took victory in 2009 in Kyiv, Ukraine and hosted the contest in 2007 and 2012. The Dutch broadcaster also bid to host the 2005 and 2006 contests.
- 2003 – Roel – “Mijn ogen zeggen alles” – 11th – 23 points
- 2004 – Klaartje and Nick – “Hij is een kei” – 11th – 27 points
- 2005 – Tess – “Stupid” – 7th – 82 points
- 2006 – Kimberly – “Goed” – 12th – 44 points
- 2007 – Lisa, Amy and Shelley – “Adem in, adem uit” – 11th – 39 points
- 2008 – Marissa – “1 dag” – 13th – 27 points
- 2009 – Ralf Mackenbach – “Click Clack” – 1st – 121 points
- 2010 – Anna and Senna – “My Family” – 9th – 52 points
- 2011 – Rachel – “Teenager” – 2nd – 103 points
- 2012 – Femke – “Tik tak tik” – 7th – 69 points
- 2013 – Mylène and Rosanne – “Double Me” – 8th – 59 points
- 2014 – Julia – “Around” – 8th – 70 points
- 2015 – Shalisa – “Million Lights” – 15th – 35 points
- 2016 – Kisses – “Kisses and Dancin‘” – 8th – 174 points
- 2017 – Fource – “Love Me” – 4th – 156 points
- 2018 – Max and Anne – “Samen” – 13th – 91 points
- 2019 – Matheu – “Dans met jou” – 4th – 186 points
- 2020 – Unity – “Best Friends” – 4th – 132 points
- 2021 – Ayana – “Mata Sugu Aō Ne” – 19th – 43 points
- 2022 – Luna – “La festa” – 7th – 128 points
- 2023 – Sep & Jasmijn – “Holding On to You” – 7th – 122 points
- 2024 – Stay Tuned – “Music” – 10th – 91 points
- 2025 – Meadow – “Freeze” – 10th – 93 points
Other Programs
The following shows were also broadcast in the Netherlands:
- Congratulations: 50 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest – 2005
- Eurovision Europe Shine a Light – 2020
Netherlands & Other European Broadcasting Union Competitions
Jeux sans frontières
Jeux sans frontières was organised by the European Broadcasting Union between 1965 and 1999, with thirty editions of the show held. The show saw broadcasters send teams to compete in a series of games, each broadcaster hosted one episode. The Netherlands participated in 10 series from 1970 to 1977 and 1997 to 1998.
Let the Peoples Sing
The contest was first held in 1961 by the BBC as an annual choral contest for choirs in the United Kingdom, since 1966 it has been a choral competition for choirs across Europe. Since the late 1970s, the European Broadcasting Union has organised the event with choirs allowed to compete from across the globe.
The Netherlands history in the contest:
- 1997 – Participant unknown
- 1999 – Radio 4 aired the contest in the Netherlands
- 2001 – The Gents – Adult Category Finalists
During the history of the Eurovision Song Contest and Eurovision family of events over fifty countries have competed, but there are more countries eligible or interested in participating. Find out more here.
Image Source: EBU / Thomas Hanses