Canada to join Eurovision Song Contest in 2027

Organisers have announced that Canada will take part in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest. It becomes the first new country to join since Australia in 2015, following a turbulent year in which long-standing participants such as Ireland and Spain withdrew over Israel's involvement.

The path for Canada to compete was cleared last week when the country's public broadcaster CBC/Radio-Canada became a full member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which stages the annual competition. According to organisers, Canada will debut at next year's semi-finals in Bulgaria, while CBC/Radio-Canada will reveal details on how the Canadian entry will be selected later this year.

Although Canada has not previously competed as an independent nation, it can already claim one winner: Quebec-born Celine Dion represented France in 1988 and won with her song "Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi". Other Canadians have since competed, including Natasha St-Pier (representing France in 2001) and La Zarra (representing France in 2023).

Canada is far from the first non-European country to join the contest; Israel and Australia regularly compete, and Morocco competed in 1980. The Carney government said in November it was working with CBC to explore participation in Eurovision, and its budget included C$150 million (£80 million) in funding for the broadcaster.

EBU Director General Noel Curran stated that Canada's voice makes the community stronger. It remains uncertain whether members who boycotted the 2026 contest will participate next year. Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain withdrew over the EBU's decision to allow Israel to compete. Speaking ahead of this year's contest in Vienna, Eurovision director Martin Green said the door was open for broadcasters to return.

This year's event was won by Bulgarian pop star Dara with her song "Bangarang". As a result, the 2027 contest will be held in Sofia.