The European Broadcasting Union has confirmed that Canada would be allowed to host the Eurovision Song Contest in the country if they win the contest.
Following the announcement that CBC/Radio-Canada, the Canadian national broadcaster, will compete in the Eurovision Song Contest 2027, the European Broadcasting Union has confirmed that it would be allowed to host the contest should it win. This comes in contrast to Australia, who are invited to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest, where they must co-host the contest in Europe with a participating public broadcaster. Dave Goodman, Head of Communication for the Eurovision Song Contest commented:
“In the event of Canada winning… the following year’s Contest would be hosted by CBC/Radio-Canada in Canada.”
CBC/Radio-Canada has also confirmed to ESC Spot that the broadcaster will not be competing in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Ta’ Qali in Malta on October 24.
CBC/Radio-Canada was granted full EBU Membership during the 96th General Assembly of the European Broadcasting Union in Prague last week, having previously been an associate member since the foundation of the EBU in 1950. The decision to grant CBC/Radio-Canada full EBU membership followed a revision to the EBU’s Statutes. The revised Statutes opens extra-European Membership to broadcasting organizations from countries with a public service media system aligned with core Council of Europe standards and formal observer status with the Council of Europe. Canada was deemed to meet both criteria.
Details on how the Canadian entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2027 will be selected will be revealed later this year.
Canada has previously participated in Eurovision Young Dancers in 1987 and 1989. Canada’s participation in the 1987 contest marked the first time that a country outside the European Broadcasting Area participated in a Eurovision Contest. Several Canadian singers have also represented other countries at the Eurovision Song Contest, such as Sherisse Laurence (Luxembourg 1986), Annie Cotton (Switzerland 1993), Natasha St-Pier (France 2001), Rykka (Switzerland 2016), La Zarra (France 2023) and Céline Dion (1988 winner for Switzerland).
CBC/Radio-Canada was first reported to be exploring participation in the Eurovision Song Contest in November 2025. The broadcaster also sent observers to the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna.
Source: EBU (ESC Hayden), The Euro Trip Podcast, ESC Spot