# Canada added as first non‑European Eurovision entrant > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ebu-expands-membership-to-canada > Updated: 2026-07-28T16:00:05.000Z. Sources: 72. Developments: 9. CBC/Radio‑Canada secured full EBU membership in a late‑June 2026 vote in Prague, granting Canada the right to compete in the 71st Eurovision Song Contest in Bulgaria in 2027. The broadcaster will appear in a semi‑final, with the national selection format to be announced later in 2026. In July 2026 Eurovision confirmed that Canada will be the first non‑European participant since Australia’s 2015 debut, following a rule amendment that allows any public broadcaster meeting Council of Europe standards to enter. Organisers noted the addition could eventually open the door to the United States and Japan. The expansion aims to counter a 20 % viewership decline recorded after a boycott by several countries over a previous contest’s controversy. CBC later said it will not disclose the cost of participation, citing the Broadcasting Act’s guarantee of its editorial independence and prohibiting government direction. A government memo obtained through access‑to‑information requests shows other countries’ 2025 costs ranged from about $400,000 for Portugal to $1.5 million for Israel. The federal budget had noted the government would work with CBC to explore participation, and Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Canada’s entry. CBC emphasized that the decision to enter and the selection process remain its sole responsibility, with further details to be released later in the year. ## Timeline ### 2026-07-28: CBC withholds Eurovision cost details, government barred from ordering participation CBC will not disclose Eurovision costs, citing the Broadcasting Act that blocks government orders. A memo shows 2025 costs $400k‑$1.5 m per country. PM Mark Carney announced Canada will compete in 2027, withCBC 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cbc-withholds-eurovision-cost-details-government-barred-from-ordering-participation ### 2026-07-18: Eurovision adds Canada as first non‑European participant ahead of 2027 contest in Bulgaria Eurovision 2027 in Bulgaria will feature Canada as the first new non‑European participant, with rule changes allowing possible US and Japan entries and other European nations returning after boycotts. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eurovision-adds-canada-as-first-noneuropean-participant-ahead-of-2027-contest-in-bulgaria ### 2026-07-06: Eurovision director Martin Green highlights benefits of Bulgaria's first-time hosting Martin Green says Bulgaria’s first Eurovision hosting will boost tourism and global image, while Canada joins the EBU as a full member, set to debut at the contest. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eurovision-director-martin-green-highlights-benefits-of-bulgarias-first-time-hosting ### 2026-07-04: Canada to debut at Eurovision Song Contest 2027 Canada will join Eurovision in 2027 after gaining full EBU membership, becoming the first new participant since Australia, with CBC/Radio‑Canada set to select its first entry. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/canada-to-debut-at-eurovision-song-contest-2027-in-bulgaria-1 ### 2026-07-01: Canada to debut at Eurovision Song Contest 2027 in Bulgaria CBC/Radio‑Canada confirmed Canada will debut at Eurovision 2027 in Bulgaria, the first new entrant since Australia, offering Canadian artists a global stage and audiences voting rights. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/canada-to-debut-at-eurovision-song-contest-2027-in-bulgaria ### 2026-06-30: Canada to debut at Eurovision Song Contest 2027 in Bulgaria Canada’s public broadcaster, now a full EBU member, will debut at Eurovision 2027 in Bulgaria, the first new non‑European entrant since Australia, with selection details to follow. 42 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/canada-to-debut-at-eurovision-song-contest-2027 ### 2026-06-26: Serbia ranks among top Eurovision qualifiers as Canada gains full EBU membership Eurovision stats show Ukraine at 100% qualification; Serbia 76% (13 of 17 finals). Canada becomes a full EBU member, gaining contest participation rights but hasn’t confirmed entry. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/serbia-ranks-among-top-eurovision-qualifiers-as-canada-gains-full-ebu-membership ### 2026-06-25: Canada Secures Full EBU Membership, Gains Eurovision Eligibility Canada’s CBC/Radio-Canada became a full EBU member, making the country eligible for Eurovision, though participation is not yet confirmed. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/canada-joins-european-broadcasting-union-gains-eurovision-eligibility ### 2026-06-24: European Broadcasting Union warns on Czech media reforms and admits CBC as full member The EBU warned Czech reforms could harm public‑media independence and, at its Prague assembly, upgraded CBC to full member, enabling future Eurovision participation. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ebu-welcomes-canadian-cbc-as-full-member-while-flagging-czech-publicmedia-reforms --- Cite as: Canada added as first non‑European Eurovision entrant. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ebu-expands-membership-to-canada