Canada will make its Eurovision debut next year, organisers announced on Wednesday, as 36 countries confirmed they will compete in the 71st edition of the song contest in the Bulgarian city of Burgas in May 2027. The line-up is one participant larger than in 2026, despite the continuing boycott by Ireland and the Netherlands over Israel's participation. The European Broadcasting Union said 36 broadcasters will send a national entry to Burgas. Israel's KAN broadcaster has confirmed its participation, while Ireland and the Netherlands have confirmed they will again skip the contest. Spain, Slovenia and Iceland are still to announce their decisions, with Spain's RTVE and Slovenia's RTVSLO given until December to confirm.

A boycott that has not ended the contest

Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia boycotted this year's contest, which drew a global audience of 130 million, after calling for Israel's expulsion over its military offensive in Gaza following the Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7 October 2023. Israel said at the time there was a global smear campaign against it. Iceland's public broadcaster RUV signalled at the end of September that its participation was unlikely, but has not made a final decision.

New faces and returning voices

Apart from newcomer Canada, the line-up includes North Macedonia, returning to the competition for the first time since 2022, host nation Bulgaria, and France, Britain, Ukraine and Australia. For Canada, the debut extends a European contest into a broader showcase, while North Macedonia's return restores a familiar voice. Martin Green, director of the Eurovision Song Contest, said in a statement: “In a world that can feel increasingly divided, it brings audiences together through music, across borders, languages and cultures, and that matters now more than ever.”

Sources: Reuters, EurovisionFun.