Canada will take part in next year’s edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, organisers have announced.
Canada is the first new country to join Eurovision, the world’s biggest live televised music event, since Australia in 2015.
“While born in Europe, the contest continues to welcome the world,” Eurovision director Martin Green said in a statement.
Bulgaria won Eurovision 2026 in Vienna in May with Dara’s catchy floor-filler Bangaranga sweeping the 70th edition of the glitzy TV extravaganza.
Australia’s Delta Goodrem had been one of the favourites to win, but ended up finishing fourth with her power ballad Eclipse.
Fewer viewers after boycott
This year’s contest was watched by 131 million viewers, which was 35 million fewer than in 2025, after five countries boycotted over Israel’s participation.
Eurovision participation is not strictly limited to geographic Europe but instead to members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), a broadcasting alliance that includes countries beyond the continent.
SBS is an associate member, which enabled Australia’s original invitation.
It was announced last week that CBC/Radio-Canada had become a full member of the EBU, paving the way for its participation in Eurovision.
“We’re bringing the world’s largest live music event to Canadians,” CBC/Radio-Canada president Marie-Philippe Bouchard said.
“Our participation … will allow Canadian talent to be showcased on one of the most storied music stages in the world.”
Canadian artists have previously performed in Eurovision, representing other countries.
Céline Dion won Eurovision for Switzerland in 1988. (AP: Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)
Céline Dion gave Switzerland its second Eurovision victory at Dublin in 1988 with Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi (Don’t Leave Without Me), a year before her international breakthrough with Where Does My Heart Beat Now.
At Vienna 2026, Canada was in the top three nations choosing their favourites in the Rest of the World vote, according to contest organisers.
Canada was also one of the largest contributors of ticket-buyers outside of Europe with many Canadians heading to Austria last May.
AFP/ABC
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.abc.net.au ’
