A large number of ticket applications for the 70th Eurovision in Vienna this year came from Canada – Image: Klaus Titzer/APA-Images/picture alliance
The Eurovision Song Contest is set to welcome another non-European participant: Canada. The country’s finance minister said it offers “a platform for Canada to shine” at a time of heightened diplomatic tensions.
Canada will take part in the next edition of the Eurovision Song Contest in Bulgaria in 2027, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and CBC/Radio-Canada confirmed on Wednesday.
The announcement on the country’s national Canada Day comes one week after CBC/Radio-Canada became the newest member of the EBU, making it eligible to compete in the popular pop event.
“On this Canada Day, as we celebrate with Canadians across the country and around the world the richness and diversity of Canadian culture, we’re so excited to confirm that we’re bringing the world’s largest live music event to Canadians,” said Marie-Philippe Bouchard, President and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada, in a press release.
Canada follow in footsteps of Australia, Israel
Canada is set to become the first new non-European participant in Eurovision since Australia in 2015. Israel has also regularly competed since making its debut back in 1973, and Morocco took part once in 1980.
But Eurovision’s popularity has long since spread beyond Europe, and Canada ranked among the top three countries in the “Rest of the World” vote at the last edition of the event in May.
Canadians were among the largest ticket-buyers outside of Europe, with many making the trip 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 most storied music stages in the world,” said Bouchard.
“It will also allow fans in Canada to continue watching and voting in the Song Contest, as they have done for years – with the added thrill of seeing their own country represented on the Eurovision stage.”
Details on how Canada’s entry will be selected will be released later this year but, whoever wins, they technically won’t be the first Canadians to appear at Eurovision.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has been keen to deepen political, economic and cultural ties with Europe – Image: Andrej Ivanov/AFP
Canada’s Eurovision history
Global star Celine Dion, a Canadian from the province of Quebec, represented Switzerland in 1988 and won with her song “Ne partez pas sans moi” (Don’t leave without me), kickstarting a successful career.
Other Canadians to have appeared at Eurovision include Natasha St-Pier and La Zarra who represented France in 2001 and 2023 respectively.
“Canada has a proud and memorable connection to the Contest, with Canadian artists … having taken to our stage many times leaving a lasting mark on audiences around the world,” said Martin Green, the EBU’s Eurovision Director.
“With CBC/Radio-Canada now able to participate in the Contest as a full EBU Member, we look forward to seeing Canada bring its own voice, creativity, and energy to the Eurovision Song Contest stage in Bulgaria in 2027.”
Canada at Eurovision: the political context
Plans for Canadian involvement in Eurovision date back to 2022 when the EBU announced plans for a “Eurovision Canada” spin-off event which was ultimately scrapped.
But Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has been keen to deepen political and economic ties with Europe since taking office last year, resurrected the idea of Canada joining the song contest in his November 2025 budget.
The Canadian finance minister, François-Philippe Champagne, said at the time that Eurovision would be “a platform for Canada to shine” at a time of heightened 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 sector. We have a lot to offer as Canadians.”
DW.com/NAN 02-07-26
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