Canada to Compete in Eurovision 2027, Expanding the Contest’s Borders During a Fractious Moment

Eurovision will add Canada to its roster in 2027, the first North American country to enter the competition. The decision, reported by the BBC, follows the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and Radio-Canada’s full membership in the European Broadcasting Union, the governing body of the song contest. It arrives a day ahead of Canada Day and echoes the precedent set by Australia, which began competing in 2015 as a non-European guest that never left.

Canadians have already shaped Eurovision history. Celine Dion won for Switzerland in 1988 with “Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi,” while Natasha St-Pier and La Zarra represented France in 2001 and 2023. The country’s official entry, however, marks a different kind of presence. CBC/Radio-Canada has yet to outline its selection process; the chosen artist will debut in the semifinals in Sofia, Bulgaria, where Dara’s “Bangaranga” secured the host country the 2026 victory and Israel’s Noam Bittan placed second with “Michelle.”

Canada’s inclusion arrives amid visible fractures in the contest’s unity. Broadcasters from Spain, Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands, and Slovenia have signaled their intention to withdraw over Israel’s continued participation, and 2024 winner Nemo returned their trophy in protest. EBU Director General Noel Curran called Canada’s voice “in this community” a source of strength, framing the expansion as a renewal of the union’s reach. Meanwhile, a separate Eurovision Song Contest Asia is being built for a November finale in Bangkok, with ten countries already confirmed as of March.