Canada will officially join the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027, becoming the first new participant added to the competition since Australia joined in 2015. Organisers announced the news on Wednesday, marking a major expansion for one of the world’s most watched music events.
The announcement was made on Canada Day, adding symbolic importance to the country’s upcoming debut on the Eurovision stage.
Canada Joins Eurovision Through EBU Membership
Eurovision participation is not restricted only to countries located in geographic Europe. Instead, countries can take part if they are members of the European Broadcasting Union, or EBU.
Canada became a member of the EBU last week, making it eligible to enter the competition. Australia, which has competed since 2015, participates as an associate member.
CBC Confirms Canada’s 2027 Eurovision Entry
The European Broadcasting Union and Canada’s public broadcaster, CBC, confirmed that Canada will send an act to the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest.
The competition will be held in Bulgaria in May, following the country’s victory in the previous contest.
CBC president Marie-Philippe Bouchard said Eurovision will give Canadian artists the opportunity to perform on one of the most famous music stages in the world.
How Canada Will Select Its Eurovision Act
CBC said it will reveal details later this year about how Canada’s Eurovision entry will be chosen.
Different countries use different selection methods. Some, including Sweden and Italy, select their contestants through televised national competitions that become major entertainment events themselves.
Other countries, such as the United Kingdom, allow the national broadcaster to choose the performer internally.
Canada’s selection process has not yet been confirmed.
Eurovision Welcomes Canada to the Contest
Eurovision director Martin Green said Canada’s entry is another sign that the contest, although created in Europe, continues to open its doors to the wider world.
Canada’s participation reflects Eurovision’s growing international reach and its appeal beyond Europe.
Canadians Have Competed in Eurovision Before
Although Canada has never competed as a country before, Canadian artists have appeared at Eurovision under other national flags.
The most famous example is Céline Dion, who won the 1988 Eurovision Song Contest while representing Switzerland with the song “Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi.”
Other Canadian performers have also taken part. Natasha St-Pier, who was raised in New Brunswick, represented France in 2001. Quebec-born singer La Zarra also represented France in 2023.
Canada’s Eurovision Move Carries Cultural and Diplomatic Weight
Eurovision is often known for its dramatic performances, camp style and light-hearted spirit. It has also been criticized in the past, including by a former French culture minister who described it as “a monument to drivel.”
Still, Canada’s decision to join the contest gives added cultural significance to the country’s recent closer alignment with the European Union.
Prime Minister Mark Carney recently received praise from European politicians after supporting Greenland’s government in response to Donald Trump’s earlier threats to annex the Arctic island.
Speaking in Davos in May, Carney said he believed the international order would be rebuilt through Europe.
Bulgaria to Host Eurovision 2027
The 70th Eurovision contest, held in May, included 35 countries and was won by Bulgarian singer Dara.
Because of that victory, the 2027 contest will take place in Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia.
Canada’s debut will therefore happen during a major Eurovision year hosted in Eastern Europe.
Israel Participation Continues to Divide Eurovision
Eurovision has faced protests in recent years over Israel’s continued participation. Israel has been part of the contest since 1973.
This year, five longtime participants — Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia — boycotted the competition after organisers refused to exclude Israel over its conduct in the war against Hamas in Gaza and violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
It remains unclear when, or whether, those countries will return to Eurovision.
Eurovision Viewership Declines After Boycott
Organisers said the 2026 Eurovision final was watched by 130 million viewers worldwide.
That figure was down from 160 million viewers in 2025, reflecting the impact of the boycott and wider controversy on the contest’s audience.
Eurovision Expands With Asia Spin-Off
Despite financial and viewership pressure caused by the boycott, Eurovision is still expanding internationally.
A spin-off event, Eurovision Song Contest Asia, is scheduled to take place in Bangkok in November.
This expansion, along with Canada’s entry in 2027, shows that Eurovision continues to grow beyond its European roots.