Canada to compete in 2027 Eurovision song contest
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"
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.
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." Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has been keen to deepen political, economic and cultural ties with Europe Image: Andrej Ivanov/AFP 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.
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