Europe Canada talks to organizers about possible ESC participation
The Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) could possibly welcome a new country for its 70th anniversary next spring. Representatives of Canada have begun talks with the organizing European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the broadcasting association confirmed. However, it is not yet clear whether and in what form the country could appear at the ESC.
13.11.2025, 19:30
13.11.2025, 19:31
SDA
"We are always delighted when we hear that broadcasters want to be part of the biggest live music show in the world," said ESC Director Martin Green when asked by the German Press Agency. "The Canadian discussions with CBC/Radio-Canada are at a very early stage and we look forward to continuing discussions with them."
There are also indications of possible participation from the Canadian government. In the government's budget for 2025 and 2026, there is talk of "discussing participation in the ESC" with public broadcaster CBC/Radio-Canada. Two sources had told CBC that Prime Minister Mark Carney was personally interested in getting the country a starting place.
Australia has also been taking part for years
Although the ESC, which has been held since 1956, is actually considered a European music competition, countries outside of Europe have repeatedly taken part - in the past, the most important criterion for this was usually the participating broadcaster's membership of the EBU. This is why nations such as Armenia and Israel are not geographically located in Europe, but nevertheless broadcast songs. EBU member Morocco made a one-off guest appearance in 1980.
Most recently, Australia even joined the participants for the 60th ESC in 2015 - however, like Canada, the country is not a full member of the EBU, but only an associate member.
According to German broadcaster NDR, the European Broadcasting Union network currently consists of 73 active member broadcasters from 56 countries and 35 associate members from 21 countries.
Countries threaten to cancel due to Israel's participation
The discussion about Canada is taking place in the midst of a debate about other nations possibly canceling their participation. In view of the humanitarian suffering in the Gaza Strip, several countries have threatened to boycott the ESC if Israel participates. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) took the exact opposite stance. He threatened a boycott by Germany if Israel was excluded.
