Canada has officially opened applications to choose the artist who will represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in 2027. CBC/Radio-Canada launched the application portal on August 31, giving eligible performers until September 9, 2026 to enter the race for Canada’s historic debut.
The search is aimed at more than finding a strong singer. CBC/Radio-Canada wants a performer with elite live vocals, proven stage presence and a substantial digital footprint, while Canadians will eventually have a say through an online public vote combined with a jury decision.
Who can apply for Canada Eurovision 2027?
Applicants must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and be at least 18 years old as of May 1, 2027.
They must also be able to travel internationally and pass standard background checks. Artists can review the application process through the official CBC/Radio-Canada Eurovision portal.
Those are the minimum requirements, but Canada’s first-year selection is clearly designed to identify someone already comfortable performing at a professional level.
What applicants need to submit
Artists are required to provide two videos. One must show a live, unaltered performance so selectors can assess the applicant’s real vocal ability and stage presence.
The second video should explain why the performer is passionate about Eurovision and why they want to represent Canada.
Those videos could later become part of the public-selection process because material from shortlisted performers is expected to be shared online before Canadians vote.
RĂŞve, Talk and bbno$ have shown interest
Three established Canadian artists have already made their Eurovision ambitions known: RĂŞve, Talk and bbno$.
RĂŞve won the 2023 Juno Award for Dance Recording of the Year, while Talk won Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the 2024 Junos. bbno$ won the Juno Fan Choice Award in both 2025 and 2026.
Their interest does not mean any of the three has secured a place on the shortlist. Other established and emerging performers can still apply before the deadline.
Why stage experience and digital reach matter
CBC/Radio-Canada is looking for an artist with strong live vocals, a proven stage presence and a significant digital following.
An existing audience in Europe could also be valuable. Eurovision viewers cannot vote for their own country, meaning Canada’s eventual representative will need support from audiences elsewhere.
The selected performer should also be prepared to sing in both of Canada’s official languages, with plans for the Canadian entry to include English and French.
How Canada will choose its first Eurovision artist
After applications close, CBC/Radio-Canada music and television specialists will work with outside music-industry experts to create a shortlist.
Canadians will then be able to watch material from the shortlisted performers and take part in an online public vote. That result will be combined with a separate jury vote to determine the country’s representative.
Some details, including the final jury composition and exact voting formula, were still being developed when applications opened.
Canada’s preparations come as other broadcasters make decisions about the 2027 competition, including the ongoing Netherlands Eurovision 2027 participation debate.
Why there will be no televised national final
Canada will not hold a large televised national-selection show in its debut year.
CBC/Radio-Canada’s head of delegation, Jennifer Dettman, has said the organization is still learning how to operate within the established Eurovision system while simultaneously building Canada’s campaign from scratch.
The broadcaster therefore opted for a simpler online selection process, with the representative expected to be chosen before winter.
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The winning artist does not need a finished song
Applicants do not need to arrive with an original Eurovision song or their own songwriter.
CBC/Radio-Canada has already begun outreach to established songwriters, while the selected artist is expected to have significant influence over the final entry.
Once chosen, the performer will move quickly into songwriting, recording, music-video production and development of the live stage performance.
Much of that work needs to be completed by March 2027, when Eurovision vets submitted songs for eligibility ahead of the competition in May.
Canada already has a famous Eurovision connection
Canada may be competing under its own name for the first time, but Canadian performers have a long history with the contest.
The most famous example is CĂŠline Dion, who won Eurovision in 1988 while representing Switzerland.
The 2027 debut will therefore create something Canadian fans have never previously had: a performer competing directly for Canada, with viewers at home involved in deciding who gets that opportunity.
Interest in major international entertainment events continues to grow across the year, with readers also following the TIME100 AI 2026 list featuring Ben Affleck and other prominent names.
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