Canada will join the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027, marking the first time a North American country will compete in the decades-old music competition. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Canadian public broadcaster CBC announced the upcoming participation on Canada Day.
Canada will send a musical act to the 2027 contest, which will be held in Bulgaria. This decision follows Canada's recent admission to the EBU, the organization that oversees Eurovision.
Founded in 1956, Eurovision is an annual international song competition primarily featuring European countries. Participants are judged by professional juries and international viewers. The contest has been a launchpad for global hits, including ABBA's "Waterloo" in 1974.
CBC President Marie-Philippe Bouchard stated that participation will provide a significant platform for Canadian artists. Eurovision Director Martin Green noted that Canada's inclusion signifies the contest's global reach beyond its European origins.
The selection process for Canada's entry will be detailed later this year by the CBC. Some participating countries opt for televised national selections, while others have their national broadcasters choose the act.
This is not the first time a Canadian artist has competed in Eurovision. Celine Dion famously won the 1988 contest representing Switzerland.
The 2026 Eurovision contest featured 35 countries and was won by Bulgarian singer Tali. Consequently, the 2027 competition will be hosted in Bulgaria.
Eurovision has recently faced controversy, including protests related to Israel's participation. In the lead-up to the 2025 contest, five countries — Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, and Slovenia — boycotted the event after organizers did not expel Israel over its actions in the conflict with Hamas.
Organizers reported that the 2026 Eurovision final was viewed by 130 million people globally, a decrease from 160 million in 2025. Despite these viewership figures and financial impacts from boycotts, the EBU is pursuing expansion, with a Eurovision Song Contest Asia planned for November in Bangkok.