Canada will participate in the next edition of the Eurovision Song Contest in Bulgaria in 2027, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and CBC/Radio-Canada confirmed Wednesday.
The country’s national Canada Day announcement comes a week after CBC/Radio-Canada became the EBU’s newest member, making it eligible to compete on the popular pop program.
“This Canada Day, as we celebrate with Canadians across the country and around the world, celebrating the richness and diversity of Canadian culture, we are very excited to confirm that we are bringing the world’s largest live music event to Canadians,” Marie-Philippe Bouchard, president and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada, said in a press release.
Canada follows in the footsteps of Australia, Israel
Canada is set to become the first new non-European entrant to Eurovision since Australia in 2015. Israel has also competed regularly since its debut in 1973, and Morocco participated once in 1980.
But Eurovision’s popularity has long spread beyond Europe, and Canada joined the top three countries in the “Rest of the World” vote at the program’s final edition in May.
Canadians were among the largest ticket-buyers outside Europe, many of whom traveled to Vienna, Austria to attend the semi-finals and final.
“Our participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, starting next year in Bulgaria, will allow Canadian talent to be showcased on one of the world’s most famous music stages,” Bouchard said.
“This will allow fans in Canada to continue watching and voting in the Song Contest as they have for years – with the added thrill of seeing their country represented on the Eurovision stage.”
Details of how Canada’s entry will be selected will be released later this year, but whoever wins will not technically be the first Canadian to appear at Eurovision.
Canada’s Eurovision history
Canadian global star Celine Dion, from the province of Quebec, represented Switzerland in 1988 and won with her song “Ne partez pas sans moi” (Don’t go without me), the beginning of a successful career.
Other Canadians who have appeared at Eurovision include Natasha St-Pierre and La Zarra who represented France in 2001 and 2023 respectively.
Martin Green, EBU’s Eurovision Director, said, “Canada has a proud and memorable relationship with the contest, with Canadian artists … appearing on our stage many times and leaving an indelible mark on audiences around the world.”
“With CBC/Radio-Canada now able to participate in the contest as a full EBU member, we look forward to seeing Canada bring its voice, creativity and energy to the Eurovision Song Contest stage in Bulgaria in 2027.”
Canada at Eurovision: political context
Plans for Canadian participation in Eurovision date back to 2022 when the EBU announced plans for a “Eurovision Canada” spin-off program which was ultimately cancelled.
But Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has been keen to deepen political and economic ties with Europe since taking office last year, revived the idea of Canada joining the song contest in his November 2025 budget.
Canada’s Finance Minister, François-Philippe Champagne, said at the time that Eurovision would be “a platform for Canada to shine” at a time of increased diplomatic tensions with the United States.
“It’s also about protecting our identity,” he told broadcaster Global News. “Yes, we want to protect our sovereignty but we also want to help people in the arts. As Canadians we have a lot to offer.”
Edited by: Zack Crellin