Canada officially joins Eurovision after EBU membership vote
Canada officially joins the Eurovision Song Contest after becoming a full member of the European Broadcasting Union last week. Voted in at the EBU's general assembly in Prague, Canada is now eligible to compete and has confirmed it intends to take part next year. The landmark move ends years of Canadian fans watching from the sidelines while the country ranked among Eurovision's most passionate global audiences.
Key Takeaways
- Canada became a full EBU member last week after a vote at the general assembly in Prague.
- The country is eligible to compete and has confirmed plans to join Eurovision next year.
- Canadians already rank in the top three for the Rest of the World vote and buy tickets in large numbers.
- Details on how Canada will select its first official entrant are expected later this year.
- Australia (2015) and Israel (1973) are the other non-European countries that regularly compete.
Why Did Canada Join Eurovision Now?
Last week, the North American country became a full member of the European Broadcasting Union, which owns and runs the contest. The vote at the EBU's general assembly in Prague cleared the path for Canada to compete on the Eurovision stage for the first time as its own nation.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney reportedly raised the idea of joining Eurovision in his 2025 budget. Carney, who spent years living in the U.K. as governor of the Bank of England, is looking to build closer economic and political ties with Europe.
Are Canadians Already Eurovision Superfans?
Despite not being able to participate in this year's competition in Vienna, Canada turned out to be one of the most enthusiastic voting blocs. The country finished in the top three for the Rest of the World vote.
Canadians were also among the largest group of ticket-buyers outside of Europe for the semi-final and grand final. That appetite suggests a built-in audience when the country debuts as a competitor. For more global TV shifts like this, see our Streaming & TV Alerts coverage.
Has Canada Ever Been on the Eurovision Stage?
Canadian artists have competed before, just not under the maple leaf. Céline Dion won one of the tightest races in Eurovision history when she represented Switzerland in 1988, beating the U.K. by a single point.
The first Canadian ever to participate was Sherisse Laurence, who appeared for Luxembourg in 1986 and came in third place. Now the country will field its first official entrant, with selection details coming later this year.
What Does Canada's Entry Mean for Eurovision?
Canada is not the first non-European country to join the contest. Australia and Israel are both regular participants, joining in 2015 and 1973 respectively. Both came close to winning this year before Bulgaria's entry Dara took the top spot.
Eurovision celebrated its 70th anniversary last year after launching in 1956. This year's contest reached 131 million people across 35 TV markets, and the competition has been on an expansion push despite an American NBC version failing to take off in 2022. Variety first reported the official confirmation.