Liechtenstein Has Tried to Compete Three Times and Been Rejected Every Time

2004

1 FL TV (rejected) · "N/A" · Liechtenstein · 1989 Language: N/A · Venue: N/A · Host: N/A, N/A · Type: deep cut · Broadcast: N/A Liechtenstein — the tiny alpine principality — has three times tried to get its national broadcaster 1 FL TV into EBU membership specifically so it can compete at Eurovision. Each time, rejected. The EBU requires full national public-broadcaster status; 1 FL TV never quite meets the criteria. As of 2026, Liechtenstein remains the largest Eurovision participation hole in Europe — 39,000 people, permanently locked out. Context Liechtenstein had explored Eurovision through a German-Swiss joint broadcast for years, but participation requires national-broadcaster standing. The 1989 application was the first formal attempt; subsequent attempts happened in the 2000s. 1 FL TV's operational budget is too small for the EBU's participation-fee structure. Legacy Liechtenstein's permanent absence is one of Eurovision's most-discussed trivia points. The principality has been the focus of unconvincing eternal 'they'll come any year now' predictions since the 1990s. No credible path to membership exists as of 2026. Eurovision's map has a Liechtenstein-shaped hole that will probably stay that way. The subject dates from 1989; this photograph was taken in 2004.