The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the Canadian public broadcaster CBC announced on Wednesday that Canada will send an act to the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, to be held in Bulgaria in May. The announcement was made on Canada Day, a national holiday, marking the first new participant since Australia joined in 2015.
Canada's Path to Eurovision
Participation in Eurovision is not limited to geographic Europe; it is open to all members of the EBU. Canada joined the EBU last week as an associate member, similar to Australia. The CBC president, Marie-Philippe Bouchard, stated that participation “will allow Canadian talent to be showcased on one of the most storied music stages in the world.”
The CBC will announce details of how Canada's entry will be selected later this year. Some Eurovision countries choose their competitors through televised national selections, while others are picked by the national broadcaster.
Eurovision Director Welcomes Canada
Eurovision’s director, Martin Green, said Canada’s accession was “a further sign that, while born in Europe, the contest continues to welcome the world.” Canadians have previously entered Eurovision under other flags, most notably Céline Dion, who won the 1988 contest competing for Switzerland.
Upcoming Contest in Bulgaria
The 70th Eurovision contest, held in May, featured 35 countries and was won by Bulgarian singer Dara. Consequently, the 2027 contest will take place in Bulgaria. The 2026 Eurovision final was watched by 130 million viewers worldwide, down from 160 million in 2025.
Recent Controversies and Expansion
Eurovision has faced protests in recent years over the participation of Israel, a competitor since 1973. Five longtime participants – Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia – boycotted the 2026 contest after organisers declined to exclude Israel over its conduct of the war against Hamas in Gaza and violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
Despite financial and viewership blows from the boycott, the contest is set for expansion. A spin-off Eurovision Song Contest Asia is due to take place in Bangkok in November.
