Burgas Chosen to Host Eurovision 2027

Kaloyan Kirilov

Burgas Mayor Dimitar Nikolov (left) and BNT Director General Milena Milotinova, Sofia, August 13, 2026 (BTA Photo/Milena Stoykova)

Sofia/Burgas, on the Black Sea,

13.08.2026 19:35

(BTA)

Tags

Eurovision, Burgas 2027

Burgas will host the 71st Eurovision Song Contest in 2027 after beating Sofia in the final stage of the selection process, Bulgarian National Television and the European Broadcasting Union said on Thursday. The semi-finals are scheduled for May 11 and 13, with the final on May 15.

Burgas, Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna submitted bids. An international committee assessed their venues, infrastructure, accommodation capacity and transport links, eliminating Plovdiv and Varna in the first stage. Arena Burgas will host the contest, while the Turquoise Carpet and Eurovision Village are planned for central seafront locations. Bulgaria earned the right to host Eurovision for the first time after Dara won the 2026 contest in Vienna with Bangaranga.

BNT Director General Milena Milotinova said Burgas was “the clear choice” following a comprehensive assessment. Burgas Mayor Dimitar Nikolov pledged that the city would “perform at a high level” and become a successful host.

Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev congratulated Burgas, saying: “Eurovision 2027 is a unique opportunity for Bulgaria, and we must all work together to make the most of it.” Sofia will support the event and seek to make the capital part of the experience for visitors.

Culture Minister Evtim Miloshev called the contest “an enormous opportunity for the whole of Bulgaria” to showcase its talent, hospitality and cultural potential. “The Ministry of Culture will stand with all of you. We move forward together,” he added.

Burgas Deputy Mayor Mihail Nenov said the city would consult the Education Ministry about declaring additional non-school days during the contest. “We will certainly find ourselves in an unprecedented situation,” he said, pointing to the expected pressure on traffic, security, medical services and waste collection.

President Iliana Iotova described the contest as an opportunity to showcase Bulgaria’s hospitality and cultural heritage and attract more tourists to the Black Sea. “Magic happens when you love the Bulgarian sea and your native shores!” she said.

Vazrazhdane’s Sofia chapter struck a critical note, blaming Terziev for Sofia’s loss and estimating that the capital had missed out on EUR 80 million in potential economic gains. “While the Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria mayor was telling the media how prepared the city was, the Burgas administration got the job done,” the party organization said.

/KT/