Canada joins Eurovision Song Contest as full EBU member for 2027
Canada will debut at the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, marking a historic milestone for the international music competition. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and CBC/Radio-Canada officially announced the decision following the broadcaster's integration into the organization.
The North American nation will enter the competition in Bulgaria, which is set to host the event. Canada becomes the first new country to debut in the contest since Australia was admitted to the European media platform in 2015.
Global expansion and market engagement
The strategic decision follows years of surging Canadian public interest in the broadcast. Canada recently ranked among the top three nations in the global "Rest of the World" public voting system.
The country also stands as one of the most active non-European markets for ticket sales and event attendance. The EBU and CBC/Radio-Canada confirmed that specific selection procedures for the inaugural Canadian representative will be disclosed later this year.
Institutional integration and cultural ties
CBC/Radio-Canada secured full membership rights within the European Broadcasting Union, legally enabling its participation starting with the 71st edition of the event. The integration reinforces the broadcaster's mandate to project domestic talent onto global platforms.
CBC/Radio-Canada President and CEO Marie-Philippe Bouchard stated that the initiative offers Canadian artists an unprecedented international stage. Bouchard emphasized that the broadcast will allow domestic audiences to see their country compete among the world's elite musical programs.
EBU Eurovision Song Contest Director Martin Green welcomed the accession, noting that the event continues to attract significant global interest despite its European foundations. Green highlighted Canada's long-standing cultural connection to the competition, referencing Canadian icon Céline Dion, who won the contest in 1988.
Broadcast metrics and digital reach
The Eurovision Song Contest remains the largest live music television event globally. During the 2026 edition organized in Vienna, the broadcast attracted more than 130 million viewers across 35 distinct television markets.
The event also generated record-breaking digital engagement statistics. Official content accumulated over 2.75 billion views across major social media applications.
Additionally, the grand final broadcast drew more than five million unique concurrent viewers on YouTube. The EBU operates as the world’s largest public service media alliance, encompassing 115 member organizations across 57 countries and reaching an aggregate audience of over one billion people.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
