Canada will participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest in Bulgaria, marking the first time a new country has joined the competition since Australia in 2015. The announcement was made Wednesday by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), an international alliance of public service media organizations.
Canada's Path to Eurovision
The North American nation will compete in the semi-finals of the music competition's 71st edition next year. This follows Canada's national broadcaster becoming a full member of the EBU in June. The EBU revealed the news, highlighting Canada as the first new entrant in over a decade.
Eurovision's Global Reach
Eurovision, the international song competition that began in 1956, has launched the careers of globally successful artists such as ABBA, Julio Iglesias, and Canadian superstar Celine Dion, who won the 1988 contest representing Switzerland. Over 130 million people across 35 markets tuned in for the latest Eurovision Contest from Vienna, underscoring the event's vast audience.
Strengthening Ties with Europe
Canada's entry comes as the country seeks to bolster its relationship with Europe. Prime Minister Mark Carney has prioritized closer ties with the continent, frequently describing Canada as the “most European of non-European countries” and advocating for new alliances among mid-sized nations in areas beyond food, energy, and defense.
Government Support and Funding
The Canadian government had signaled its intention to explore Eurovision participation when publishing its budget in November, allocating $150 million in 2025 and 2026 to strengthen the mandate of CBC/Radio-Canada. The broadcaster will unveil details on how the participating Canadian artists will be selected later this year, according to the EBU announcement.
With assistance from Melissa Shin.
