The city of Burgas, located on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, has been officially designated as the venue for the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest scheduled for next year.
Bulgaria celebrated its inaugural victory in the Eurovision Song Contest this past May, marking a significant achievement for the nation.
According to the organizers, the grand finale of this prestigious global music event will take place on May 15, 2027.
It will be the first occasion that Bulgaria hosts the contest, following the triumph of local artist Darina Yotova, known as Dara, who secured victory with her hit song “Bangaranga” in Vienna, Austria.
In a press release, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Bulgarian National Television (BNT) expressed their enthusiasm about Burgas being selected to host the 71st Eurovision Song Contest in May 2027.
The semi-final rounds are set for May 11 and May 13, providing a lead-up to the main event.
Burgas emerged as the chosen city over the capital Sofia after a thorough evaluation process that adhered to all EBU criteria, as stated by BNT general director Milena Milotinova during a press conference.
As the second-largest city along Bulgaria’s Black Sea shoreline, Burgas boasts a population of approximately 190,000. It serves as a vital commercial port and a key access point to various beach resorts, including the popular tourist destination of Sunny Beach, known for its picturesque golden sands.
The Eurovision contest will take place at Arena Burgas, a versatile venue that accommodates 5,500 seats and can expand to host 15,000 attendees.
Mayor Dimitar Nikolov expressed his pride and gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “It is a great honor and privilege to be selected. We appreciate the chance to showcase Burgas, the surrounding region, and the beauty of Bulgaria. We are committed to delivering an exceptional experience and being remembered as successful hosts.”
The event is anticipated to provide a significant boost to the tourism industry, which contributes roughly 8 percent to the GDP of one of the European Union’s less affluent nations.
Since its inception in 1955, Eurovision has become a premier platform for pop music, launching the careers of renowned artists such as ABBA, Celine Dion, Cliff Richard, and Olivia Newton-John.
The 2026 edition of the contest attracted 131 million viewers, a decline of 35 million from the previous year, largely due to a boycott by five nations over Israel’s participation.
The Netherlands, Iceland, Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia opted out of the competition, with the latter three choosing not to broadcast the event at all.
In a related announcement, Eurovision organizers indicated that countries engaged in armed conflict would be barred from hosting the contest, alongside raising the minimum age for participants from 16 to 18.
While specific countries were not mentioned, Israel, currently in conflict in Gaza, was a strong contender in the 2025 and 2026 competitions, finishing in second place both times.
Bulgaria made its Eurovision debut in 2005 but had not experienced a victory until Dara’s recent win in 2026. The country had missed the last three editions due to financial constraints but reclaimed the crown in Vienna with a last-minute lead over Israel.
