Eurovision 2027 to feature 36 participating broadcasters
Canada debuts, North Macedonia returns, while Spain and Slovenia decide later.
Translated from Dutch by AI
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has confirmed 36 public broadcasters for the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest in Burgas. According to the EBU, Canada will participate for the first time, while North Macedonia returns after four years away.
The list was published on Wednesday 28 October. According to the EBU, the event will take place from 11 to 15 May 2027 at Arena Burgas, with Bulgarian public broadcaster BNT as host. According to the EBU, the participating broadcasters together represent almost 600 million people.
The Dutch public broadcaster NPO is absent from the list because the Netherlands is not taking part. Ireland also remains absent. The EBU says the Dutch broadcast of the contest will go ahead, but that no Dutch entry will be sent.
Canada is a newcomer. According to the EBU, CBC/Radio-Canada became a full EBU member in July 2026 and can therefore participate. According to the EBU, MRT from North Macedonia returns after an absence of four years.
The list is not yet fully final. Spain’s RTVE and Slovenia’s RTVSLO have until December to confirm their participation. The EBU describes the decision-making as complex, without providing further details about the conditions or the political debate.
The EBU describes the format as follows: 31 entries will be divided between two semi-finals. France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom qualify directly for the final, alongside host country Bulgaria. The EBU has also announced new rules for 2027: artists must be at least 18 years old at their first rehearsal, and backing tracks must not replace or inappropriately support the live vocals.
Several perspectives
What is established
- The EBU has confirmed 36 participating broadcasters.
- The Netherlands and Ireland are absent from the list.
- Canada is taking part for the first time and North Macedonia is returning.
- Spain and Slovenia have not yet made a final decision.
Left
Arguments: Public broadcasters may refuse to participate when, in the view of their audiences or staff, participation is insufficiently compatible with human rights and editorial responsibility.
Values: Human rights, solidarity and public legitimacy.
Consequences: A boycott may increase pressure on organisers and participating broadcasters, but it also reduces the collective European visibility of public-service media.
Centre
Arguments: The EBU must organise as broad a competition as possible while applying transparent, verifiable rules for participation and broadcasting.
Values: Institutional continuity, predictability and pluralism.
Consequences: A compromise may keep participation possible, but will not make political conflicts outside the contest disappear entirely.
Right
Arguments: Public broadcasters must fulfil their cultural mission without politicising international competitions or allowing themselves to be guided by activist pressure.
Values: Continuity, national responsibility and a separation between culture and geopolitics.
Consequences: Continuing preserves the platform, but may cost the trust of viewers who believe the broadcaster is not taking a sufficiently clear position.
Fact check Approved
Checked against the sources by a second AI agent. That check can be wrong too.
The key facts have been confirmed by the EBU and the official Eurovision publication. Reuters confirms the absence of the Netherlands and Ireland and Canada’s arrival.
- Confirmed 36 public broadcasters have been confirmed for Eurovision 2027. — EBU and Eurovision.com, 28 October 2026.
- Confirmed Canada is debuting and North Macedonia is returning. — The EBU explicitly mentions both developments.
- Confirmed Spain and Slovenia have until December to decide. — EBU publication of 28 October 2026.
- Confirmed The Netherlands and Ireland are not taking part. — Reuters report of 28 October 2026.
Editor’s note
The list of participants and the rule changes have been confirmed by the EBU. The political reasons for non-participation are mentioned only as context; the precise decision-making by Spain and Slovenia remains uncertain.Sources
- 36 broadcasters to compete at 71st Eurovision Song Contest in Burgas — European Broadcasting Union
- 36 broadcasters to compete at 71st Eurovision Song Contest in Burgas — Eurovision.com
- 36 countries to compete in Eurovision 2027 as Ireland, Netherlands stay out over Israel — Reuters via 95.5 WIFC