Lead

Canada will take part in the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in 2027, organisers and the country's public broadcaster announced on Wednesday. The announcement, made on Canada Day, follows CBC/Radio-Canada's recent elevation to full membership in the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which stages the annual competition.

Canada becomes the first new country to join Eurovision since Australia in 2015. The 2027 contest is scheduled to take place in Bulgaria, after Bulgarian singer Dara won the 2026 edition in Vienna with the song "Bangaranga."

Coverage Comparison

Reports from multiple outlets confirm the core details of the announcement. ABC Australia noted that Canada is the first new country to join since Australia in 2015 and that Bulgaria won Eurovision 2026. The BBC reported that CBC/Radio-Canada's full EBU membership cleared the path for Canada's participation, and that Prime Minister Mark Carney raised the idea in his 2025 budget. Deutsche Welle emphasised that Canada ranked among the top three countries in the 'Rest of the World' vote at the last edition and that Canadians were among the largest ticket-buyers from outside Europe. The Guardian highlighted Eurovision director Martin Green's statement that the contest "continues to welcome the world."

One discrepancy among reports concerns the identity of the country Céline Dion represented when she won Eurovision in 1988. ABC Australia reported that Dion won for Switzerland; the BBC similarly stated she represented Switzerland; Deutsche Welle and The Guardian also said Switzerland. However, one BBC report stated that Dion represented France in the 1988 contest, which conflicts with the other reports. The 1988 win is widely attributed to Switzerland in most coverage.

Key Claims

  • Canada's debut: Canada will participate in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027, making it the first new country to join since Australia in 2015. This was reported by ABC Australia, the BBC, Deutsche Welle, and The Guardian.
  • EBU membership: CBC/Radio-Canada became a full member of the European Broadcasting Union, a requirement for participation. Prior to this, it had been an associate member, as reported by the BBC and Deutsche Welle.
  • Prime Minister's role: Prime Minister Mark Carney raised the idea of Canada joining Eurovision in his 2025 budget, according to a BBC report. The Carney government said in November it was working with the CBC "to explore participation in Eurovision."
  • Céline Dion's win: Canadian singer Céline Dion won Eurovision in 1988. Most outlets reported she represented Switzerland, though one BBC report said France. Dion's victory is cited as a highlight of Canada's Eurovision history.
  • Other Canadians in Eurovision: Other Canadians have competed under different flags, including Natasha St-Pier (France, 2001) and La Zarra (France, 2023), as reported by the BBC.
  • 2026 contest figures: The 2026 Eurovision final was watched by 131 million viewers, according to ABC Australia and The Guardian (which said 130 million). Five countries—Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain—boycotted the 2026 contest over Israel's participation, as reported by multiple outlets.
  • Rest of the World vote: Canada ranked among the top three countries in the 'Rest of the World' vote at the 2026 contest, according to Deutsche Welle.
  • Selection process: CBC/Radio-Canada will announce details of how Canada's entry will be selected later this year, as reported by the BBC and The Guardian.

Perspectives

The announcement drew reactions from key figures. CBC/Radio-Canada president Marie-Philippe Bouchard said, "We're bringing the world's largest live music event to Canadians," adding that participation "will allow Canadian talent to be showcased on one of the most storied music stages in the world." Eurovision director Martin Green said Canada's accession is "a further sign that, while born in Europe, the contest continues to welcome the world." EBU director general Noel Curran said, "Canada's voice in this community makes us stronger." These statements were carried by ABC Australia, the BBC, and The Guardian.