Key facts
- Kazakhstan's state broadcaster Khabar Agency has been denied full membership by the European Broadcasting Union.
- The EBU stated that Khabar Agency does not qualify for full membership at this time.
- Khabar Agency is a valued Associate Member of the EBU.
- Kazakhstan has a small geographical portion within Europe.
- Australia has competed in Eurovision via special invitation since 2015.
- Canada will debut in Eurovision in 2027 after becoming a full EBU member.
Kazakhstan's bid to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027 has been unsuccessful, as the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced that the country's state-owned broadcaster, Khabar Agency, does not qualify for full membership at this time. The EBU cited that Kazakhstan falls outside the European Broadcasting Area, is not a member of the Council of Europe, and lacks formal observer status with the organization.
Khabar Agency, which is controlled by Kazakhstan's Ministry of Culture and Information, has been an Associate Member of the EBU and participated in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest five times between 2018 and 2022, achieving runner-up status twice. However, associate membership does not grant automatic entry into the main Eurovision contest.
Despite a small portion of Kazakhstan geographically lying within Europe and the EU being its largest trading partner, these factors were not sufficient for membership. The EBU has previously made exceptions, allowing Australia to compete via special invitation since 2015 and Canada to become a full member following rule changes, enabling its debut in 2027. Russia also previously competed until its exclusion following the invasion of Ukraine.
The decision comes as Eurovision navigates geopolitical considerations, with some broadcasters having boycotted the contest over Israel's participation. For now, Khabar Agency remains an associate member, with its potential for future participation in the main contest unclear.