Canada will compete at Eurovision for the first time in 2027, organisers announce on Canada Day
The European Broadcasting Union confirmed on 1 July that Canada will become the first new country to join the song contest since Australia, with its first entry performing at the 71st edition in Sofia.
Canada joins the contest
Canada will participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, organisers announced on Wednesday, adding the country to the semi-final line-up for next year’s event in Bulgaria. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Canada’s public broadcaster CBC/Radio-Canada confirmed the news on Canada Day, exactly one week after CBC/Radio-Canada was admitted as a full EBU member at the union’s general assembly in Prague. Canada becomes the first new participant since Australia joined the contest in 2015.
On this Canada Day, as we celebrate with Canadians across the country and around the world the richness and diversity of Canadian culture, we’re so excited to confirm that we’re bringing the world’s largest live music event to Canadians.
Path to participation
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government began exploring Eurovision in November 2025 and included C$150m (£80m) in its budget for CBC. The broadcaster had been an associate EBU member since 1950 but needed full membership to enter an act. Details of how Canada will select its contestant are expected later this year. EBU director general Noel Curran said the addition would strengthen the alliance.
Canada’s voice in this community makes us stronger.
Canada’s Eurovision legacy
Canadians have already left a mark on the contest. Quebec-born Céline Dion won for Switzerland in 1988 with “Ne partez pas sans moi”, beating the United Kingdom by a single point. Natasha St-Pier and La Zarra each represented France, in 2001 and 2023 respectively, and Sherisse Laurence came third for Luxembourg in 1986. Canada finished in the top three of this year’s “Rest of the World” vote and was among the largest non-European ticket-buying group for the 2026 event in Vienna.
A broader diplomatic backdrop
The Carney government is pursuing closer economic and political ties with Europe, and participation in Eurovision signals that push. Finance officials framed the contest as “a platform for Canada to shine” during a time of heightened diplomatic tensions. Marie-Philippe Bouchard, president and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada, said the move would let Canadians “continue watching and voting in the Song Contest, as they have done for years, with the added thrill of seeing their own country represented on the Eurovision stage.”
The boycott cloud
The contest remains unsettled by last year’s withdrawals. Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain all pulled out of the 2026 edition in Vienna over the EBU’s decision to allow Israel to compete, citing the war in Gaza. Bulgaria’s Dara won that event with “Bangarang”, earning Sofia the right to host the 2027 show. Eurovision director Martin Green said he hoped absent broadcasters would return, telling the BBC that “we’ve got 35 members of our family here, and that’s enough to have a big party, but five are absent and we miss them.”
- Canadian government begins exploring participation in Eurovision.
- CBC/Radio-Canada is voted in as a full EBU member at the general assembly in Prague.
- Canada Day announcement confirms the country will compete in the 2027 contest.
- CBC/Radio-Canada to unveil details on how the first Canadian entry will be selected.
- 71st Eurovision Song Contest begins in Sofia, Bulgaria; Canada debuts in the semi-finals.
Canada will compete in one of the semi-finals at the 71st contest, joining regular non-European participants Australia and Israel. The selection method for its debut act will be unveiled later in 2026.
