What to know
- Canada will compete in the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in 2027.
- Applications for Canadian artists opened Aug. 31 and closes on Sept. 9.
- The selected performer will be chosen before their Eurovision song is developed.
- Canadians will help choose the finalist through a public vote combined with an industry jury.
Canada’s search for its first-ever Eurovision star is officially underway.
CBC/Radio-Canada opened applications Monday for Canadian artists hoping to represent the country when it makes its Eurovision Song Contest debut in 2027.
The deadline to apply is Sept. 9 at 11:59 p.m. PT, giving aspiring contestants just over a week to put their names forward.
Canada’s Eurovision debut will mark a major expansion of the competition, which attracts hundreds of millions of viewers around the world each year.
What is Canada looking for?
The search is aimed at established performers rather than newcomers looking for their first big break.
Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents and at least 18 years old by May 1, 2027. They also need to be able to travel internationally and commit to the demanding schedule that comes with preparing for Eurovision.
Strong live performance skills will be key. CBC/Radio-Canada says it wants an artist who can deliver a major live performance while also handling the attention that comes with representing Canada on an international stage.
An existing audience in Europe could help, but it isn’t required.
The broadcaster is also looking for someone who genuinely wants to compete at Eurovision and is ready to throw themselves into the spectacle of the competition.
Canada will choose the artist before the song
One notable difference in Canada’s first selection process is that the performer will be chosen before their Eurovision song is created.
Artists applying for the opportunity are therefore being asked not to submit or promote a song specifically for the competition as part of the process.
Once the artist is selected, they will work with CBC/Radio-Canada on developing the entry.
English and French will be part of the song
Canada’s entry will also reflect the country’s bilingual identity.
The Eurovision song will include both of Canada’s official languages, English and French, although other languages can also be incorporated.
The selected artist will have input into the languages used based on their comfort and ability to perform them.
Canadians will help pick the winner
The first stage of the process will see CBC/Radio-Canada narrow the applications down to a group of finalists, who are expected to be revealed this fall.
The public will then have a chance to weigh in. Canadians will vote for their preferred finalist, with those results combined with a vote from a music industry jury.
The artist who ultimately wins the selection is expected to be announced by late fall 2026.
