Canadians are now able to apply to represent Canada at the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest. The application process opens on August 31 and interested individuals can submit their entries for the initial evaluation at cbc.radio-canada.ca/en/eurovision.
In a significant development back in June, CBC/Radio-Canada joined the European Broadcasting Union, paving the way for Canada to participate in the prestigious Eurovision competition that has launched the careers of renowned artists like ABBA, Céline Dion, France Gall, Maneskin, and others.
Canada announced its debut participation in Eurovision on July 1. Last year’s competition attracted over 130 million viewers worldwide, with Canadian viewers ranking among the top three in the “rest of the world” voter category.
The 71st Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled to be held in Burgas, Bulgaria in May next year. Before that, Canada must select its representative. Submissions for potential contestants will begin on August 31 and are open to all eligible applicants across the country.
CBC’s Executive Vice President, Doug Smith, expressed enthusiasm for Canadian artists to be part of this global stage, emphasizing the need for a charismatic performer with a strong track record of engaging live audiences.
The submission window will be open from August 31 to September 9, targeting Canadian citizens or permanent residents aged 18 and above. A selection process will follow, with a shortlist of musicians chosen by CBC/Radio-Canada, leading to the finalists being revealed in the autumn.
The ultimate choice of Canada’s representative will be in the hands of the public through a digital voting system. The performance videos of the finalists will be featured on a dedicated Eurovision Song Contest Canada website. The public vote results will be combined with input from an independent music expert jury to determine the final contender for Canada in May.
The chosen finalist will collaborate with industry professionals to create Canada’s official Eurovision song and performance. Eurovision, which originated in 1956 in Lugano, Switzerland, has evolved into the longest-running international televised music competition, with increasing global participation over the years.
Notable musicians like ABBA and Céline Dion have kickstarted successful careers after their Eurovision triumphs, underscoring the platform’s significance in the music industry. Dion, along with other Canadian singers, has made a mark at Eurovision, emphasizing the diverse talent pool Canada brings to the competition.