Canada is in talks with organisers to join Eurovision

The Eurovision Song Contest might welcome a new country for its 70th anniversary next year: representatives from Canada have initiated discussions with the organising European Broadcasting Union, the EBU has confirmed.

However, it is not yet determined if and in what form the country might appear at Eurovision 2026.

"We're always excited to know that broadcasters want to be part of the world's largest live music show," Eurovision director Martin Green said in response to an inquiry from the DPA news agency.

"The Canadian conversation with CBC/Radio-Canada is in its very early stages and we look forward to continuing our discussions with them."

There are also indications from the Canadian government about a possible participation.

The government's budget for 2025 and 2026 mentions discussing participation in Eurovision together with the public broadcaster CBC.

Two sources told the CBC that Prime Minister Mark Carney is personally interested in securing a spot for the country.

Although Eurovision, which has been held since 1956, is actually considered a European music competition, countries outside Europe have repeatedly participated - the most important criterion for this in the past has usually been membership of a participating broadcaster in the EBU.

This means that countries like Armenia and Israel, which are not geographically in Europe, can still send entries.

In 1980, EBU member Morocco had a one-time guest appearance.

Most recently, in 2015, Australia joined the participants for the 60th Eurovision.

Like Canada, Australia is not a full but only an associate member of the EBU.