Over the recent days, a flood of rumors has been floating in the Eurovision fandom: Will Canada participate in Eurovision 2026?
In 2022, we reported that Eurovision Canada is planned to air in 2023.
The contest should have featured 13 provinces and territories competing in a dedicated contest.
However, the contest has never been produced.
Eurovision fans from Canada have been following the contest for years, even though the country hasn’t competed.
However, some Canadian artists have represented other countries in the Eurovision Song Contest. Among them Celine Dion (Switzerland 1988), Rykka (Switzerland 2016), Natasha St-Pier (France 2001), and La Zara (France 2023).
Martin Green, the Eurovision Director commented:
We’re always excited to know that broadcasters want to be part of the world’s largest live music show. The Canadian conversation with CBC is in its very early stages, and we look forward to continuing our discussions with them
Currently, Canada is an associate member of the EBU (similar to Australia). This means that the Eurovision reference group would have to approve the participation (as a special invitation).
The whole speculation started with documentation showing the Canadian broadcaster plans to allocate a budget for the Eurovision project.
Based on the Canadian broadcaster CBC‘s publication, the Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is personally involved in making the country participate in Eurovision
The document includes the following quote:
CBC/Radio-Canada is part of our Canadian identity. Canada’s new government is protecting our national broadcaster by ensuring it has the resources needed to modernize and better deliver for Canadians, and to continue providing vital programming in both French and English. Budget 2025 proposes to provide $150 million in 2025-26 for CBC/Radio-Canada to strengthen its mandate to serve the public and to better reflect the needs of Canadians. The government will explore modernising CBC/Radio-Canada’s mandate to strengthen independence, and is working with CBC/Radio-Canada to explore participation in Eurovision.
The Canadian Finance Minister, François‑Philippe Champagne, commented:
This was something that was asked by the people who participate, and I think it’s a platform for Canada to shine.
Do you support Canada’s participation in Eurovision?
The list of participating countries in Eurovision 2026 will be announced in December 2025.
Eurovision 2026 will be held in Vienna, Austria, on May 12th, 14th, and 16th, 2026.
