Canada is entering the final stretch before its debut at Eurovision 2027, with the official process for selecting the country's first-ever entrant opening on August 31. Canadian artists and songwriters will then be able to submit their bids to represent the country at the contest.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Canada's public broadcaster, announced that it will begin accepting applications and songs starting next Monday. Detailed entry rules are also expected to be published alongside the launch of the platform, clarifying who can submit a song and under what conditions.
The choice of Canada's first Eurovision song will not be made purely behind closed doors. Prime Minister Mark Carney has already said the process will involve both the public and figures from Canada's music industry.
Carney said Canadian citizens would take on the difficult decision of choosing who represents them at Eurovision, describing the country's first participation as an effort involving the whole nation. He added a message tied to Canada's arrival at the contest, saying the world needs more Canada.
Who will represent Canada?
CBC's announcement effectively opens the first phase of a process that will lead to the selection of the person who will represent Canada at Eurovision for the first time.
The exact format of the national selection has not yet been made public. It remains unclear whether the public will watch a single televised final or whether there will be multiple rounds and semi-finals beforehand.
It is also expected to be clarified how votes will be split between the public and professional juries, along with the eligibility criteria for artists and songwriters. Among the questions still to be answered is whether Canadian citizenship will be required, and what restrictions will apply to creators regarding the use of artificial intelligence.
A new market for Eurovision
Canada's entry into Eurovision 2027 carries particular weight for the domestic music scene. The country has artists with an international presence and a large music industry, which is expected to increase the number of applicants.
For the artists taking part in the process, the stakes go beyond simply representing their country. The eventual winner will perform in front of a television audience spanning dozens of countries in a contest with major international reach.
CBC is expected to announce further details about the selection process in the coming months.
Canada and Australia at Eurovision
Canada's arrival also sets an interesting precedent for Eurovision's expansion beyond Europe's geographical boundaries.
Australia, which has competed in the contest since 2015, is already the most notable example of a country outside Europe and the Mediterranean basin to have secured a regular place in the competition. However, as of August 24, 2026, Australia had not announced a representative for Eurovision 2027, nor had it yet officially confirmed its participation in the contest, which will be held in Bulgaria, though there is little doubt it will take part.
