Kazakhstan's EBU membership bid for Eurovision 2027 rejected

Kazakhstan’s hopes of joining Eurovision 2027 have been dashed as the EBU did not grant full membership to Khabar Agency, meaning they cannot compete in Burgas. This decision means the country remains ineligible for the contest, despite its broadcaster’s efforts.

Khabar Agency’s bid for full EBU membership

Khabar Agency, Kazakhstan’s state broadcaster, applied for full membership of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in late 2024, as reported by Eurovoix and That Eurovision Site. The primary motivation behind this application was to secure the opportunity for Kazakhstan to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2027, according to 1news.az and eurovisionfun.com. Currently, Khabar Agency holds an Associate Membership with the EBU, which allows them to broadcast the contest but not to participate in it.

Full EBU membership is a prerequisite for any country wishing to send an entry to the Eurovision Song Contest. The application process involves meeting various criteria, which typically include being a national public service broadcaster from a country within the European Broadcasting Area or a member state of the Council of Europe.

A stylised map shows Kazakhstan and Europe with a musical note indicating a rejected EBU membership bid.

EBU decision means no Eurovision 2027 for Kazakhstan

Despite the application, the EBU has confirmed that Khabar Agency was not admitted as a full member. This decision effectively bars Kazakhstan from competing in the 2027 contest, a point highlighted by politico.eu and Українські Національні Новини (УНН). The EBU responded to Kazakhstan’s bid, confirming the outcome, eurovisionfun.com noted. Without full membership, the country cannot fulfill the participation requirements.

This news confirms that the list of participating countries for Eurovision 2027, which will be hosted in Burgas, will not include Kazakhstan. While they have been able to broadcast the contest to Kazakh viewers as an associate member, full participation remains out of reach for now.

What this means for your trip

For visitors planning their trip to Burgas for Eurovision 2027, this development means Kazakhstan will not be among the competing nations. The line-up of countries will be confirmed closer to the event, which is expected to take place in May 2027. You can stay updated on all developments regarding the contest, including Eurovision 2027 tickets and where to stay for Eurovision 2027, by checking our dedicated sections. For general travel information, our guide on getting here provides useful details. We also have detailed information about Arena Burgas, the expected venue for the event.