The Walloon broadcaster RTBF has denied rumors that Loïc Nottet has been selected to represent Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.
Following reports from French media that Loïc Nottet had been selected to represent Belgium for a second time at the Eurovision Song Contest, RTBF has denied that the singer will represent Belgium at Eurovision next May. According to French journalist Clément Garin, Loïc Nottet had been selected internally after a number of singers were reviewed by RTBF.
RTBF confirmed to Nieuwsblad that no decision had been made on who would represent Belgium in 2026, and that a decision on whether Belgium would compete next year has yet to be taken. Loïc Nottet previously represented Belgium at Eurovision 2015 with “Rythm Inside”, he placed 4th in the final scoring 217 points, at the time this was their best result since 2003.
RTBF and VRT are part of discussions which are underway with the European Broadcasting Union regarding the future of the competition, including on Israel’s participation, promotion of participants by their delegations and associated parties and discuss whether the public vote should continue to allow up to 20 votes to be cast.
The broadcaster previously confirmed that the selection process for a potential Belgian representative will continue for Eurovision 2026, but without the broadcaster’s participation being confirmed at this stage.
Belgium is unique in the Eurovision Song Contest for alternating organisation of its participation among its public broadcasters. RTBF, the French-language public broadcaster, alternates responsibility for participation with VRT, the Dutch-language public broadcaster.
Red Sebastian represented Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 with “Strobe Lights”. He placed 14th in Semi-Final One, scoring 23 points. Belgium received 12 points from the Sammarinese jury.
Image Source: RTVE | Source: Nieuwsblad
Belgium was one of the seven nations who participated in the first edition of the Eurovision Song Contest in 1956. To date, the country has won the contest only once in 1986. Sandra Kim won the contest with the song “J’aime la vie”. Her victory was not without controversy when it emerged that Sandra was just 13 years old, two years younger than the age restriction at the time. In the late 00s, Belgium struggled in the contest, failing to reach the final annually from 2005 until 2010, when Tom Dice finished 6th in the final with 143 points. Belgium has finished last at the contest eight times, including two sets of nul points.
