The Eurovision Song Contest 2027 will feature 36 countries, organisers have announced. Canada will make its debut in the contest, a major expansion for a competition long associated with Europe, while Ireland and the Netherlands will not take part in 2027. The contrasting moves — a new country joining and two familiar participants stepping back — will reshape the line-up for next year’s contest and have already prompted discussion among fans about what the changes mean for the show’s format, voting and audience. Canada’s first entry will be watched closely as a test of how far the contest’s reach can extend, while the absence of Ireland and the Netherlands — both long-standing Eurovision nations — will be felt by viewers who have followed their entries for years.
