The European Broadcasting Union has formally rejected Kazakhstan’s Eurovision hopes for participation in 2027. This decision follows an application from the state-owned Khabar Agency. Therefore, the nation will not debut in the glitzy annual contest next year.
The EBU issued a statement explaining its rationale. It confirmed Khabar Agency does not currently qualify for full membership. Kazakhstan falls outside the European Broadcasting Area, for instance. Moreover, it is not a member of the Council of Europe. Finally, it lacks formal observer status with the EBU itself.
These requirements are strictly outlined in the EBU’s statutes. While rules were relaxed in June for some non-European broadcasters, Kazakhstan did not meet the updated criteria. Khabar Agency is, however, a valued Associate Member of the EBU. The Union appreciates its long-standing engagement.
Khabar Agency previously took Kazakhstan to the Junior Eurovision contest five times. Between 2018 and 2022, the broadcaster achieved runner-up status twice. Associate membership, nevertheless, does not guarantee an automatic entry into the senior competition.
A small portion of Kazakhstan lies within geographical Europe. This fact bolsters its claim for inclusion. Furthermore, the European Union stands as the country’s largest trading partner. Yet, geography alone is rarely the deciding factor for Eurovision.
Australia, for example, has competed since 2015 through special invitations. Canada went further this summer, by contrast. CBC/Radio-Canada became a full EBU member after the recent rule changes. It will make its Eurovision debut in 2027. Canada qualified due to its observer status with the Council of Europe and its public-service media credentials. Russia also competed frequently in the past, despite most of its territory being in Asia. However, it was expelled following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
This rejection emerges as Eurovision grapples with other geopolitical complexities. Five broadcasters boycotted the 2026 contest over Israel’s participation. The Netherlands’ AVROTROS has already indicated it will sit out again in 2027. For now, Kazakhstan’s Eurovision hopes remain unfulfilled. Khabar Agency retains its associate membership, with future participation uncertain.
