Canada joins Eurovision.
Canada will officially join the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027, competing in Bulgaria.
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Canada is joining Eurovision. The European Broadcasting Union and public broadcaster CBC announced on July 1, 2026 — Canada Day — that Canada will compete in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest in Bulgaria, AP News reported. It is the first new country to enter the contest since Australia debuted in 2015, 12 years ago.
The move puts Canada on one of the world's biggest music stages. The 2026 Eurovision final drew 131 million viewers worldwide, CBC News reported — down 21% from 166 million in 2025. Despite that dip, the contest remains a massive global event, and Canada is now part of it.
Canada Day Announcement Caps Months of Behind-the-Scenes Work
The deal did not happen overnight. Canada's 2025 federal budget included C$150 million in new CBC funding and explicitly called for the broadcaster to "explore participation in Eurovision," Lethbridge Herald reported. Eurovision Director Martin Green confirmed "early talks" with CBC just days after that budget dropped in November 2025.
The final piece fell into place on June 25, 2026. At the EBU's 96th General Assembly in Prague, delegates voted to upgrade CBC/Radio-Canada from Associate to Full Member — a status it needed to compete. CBC President Marie-Philippe Bouchard called it a chance to showcase "Canadian talent on one of the most storied stages in the world," Winnipeg Free Press reported.
Prime Minister Carney's European Pivot Drives the Decision
Canada's entry is about more than music. Prime Minister Mark Carney has made closer ties with Europe a cornerstone of his foreign policy, and Eurovision is part of that push. Historian Dean Vuletic says participation is a "soft power" move — a way for Canada to shape its image abroad and align with European values, Brandon Sun reported.
Analysts see it as a deliberate shift away from U.S. cultural influence. Canadians were already deeply engaged with the contest — the country ranked in the Top 3 for the "Rest of the World" public vote in 2026, and Canadians were among the biggest ticket buyers at the Vienna final, according to WBAL.
Bulgaria Hosts in 2027 After Singer Dara's Surprise Win
Canada's debut will take place in Bulgaria. Bulgarian singer Dara won the 70th Eurovision Grand Final on May 16, 2026 in Vienna with the song "Bangaranga." That victory handed Bulgaria the right to host the 2027 contest. Sofia's Arena 8888, which holds nearly 18,000 people, is the leading candidate for host venue, Durango Herald reported.
Bulgaria expects the event to bring in between €45 million and €70 million in economic benefit. CBC has not yet announced how it will pick Canada's artist — either through an internal selection or a televised national competition. That decision is expected later in 2026, Boston 25 News reported.
Eurovision Grows Globally Even as Boycotts Cloud Its Image
Canada's entry comes as Eurovision faces real turbulence. Five countries — Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain — boycotted the 2026 final to protest Israel's participation amid the Gaza war. The 21% viewership drop from 2025 to 2026 was the largest single-year fall in the contest's modern history, Click On Detroit reported.
Even so, the EBU is pushing outward. A spinoff called Eurovision Song Contest Asia is set to launch in Bangkok on November 14, 2026, with 10 countries confirmed including South Korea and Thailand. Eurovision Director Martin Green said Canada's entry is "a further sign that, while born in Europe, the Contest continues to welcome the world," News4Jax reported.
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