Eurovision adds Canada as first non‑European participant ahead of 2027 contest in Bulgaria

The Eurovision Song Contest scheduled for 2027 will be hosted in Bulgaria, with the host city still to be decided. After a boycott by Spain, Slovenia, Ireland, Iceland and the Netherlands over the Israel‑related controversy in the previous edition, organizers are seeking to broaden the participant pool. Canada has been admitted as a full member of the European Broadcasting Union, becoming the first new country to join the competition since Australia in 2015. The change follows a rule amendment that permits non‑European states whose public broadcasters meet Council of Europe standards to compete, opening the door for the United States and Japan as possible future entrants.

In addition to Canada, Hungary and Slovakia are being discussed for entry, while North Macedonia has confirmed its return after a four‑year absence. The expansion is intended to counter a 20 % drop in viewership recorded at the last contest and to restore the event’s cultural diversity and audience appeal.