The coastal city of Burgas has beaten the capital Sofia to host the 71st Eurovision Song Contest in Bulgaria in May 2027, according to a press release from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Following a technical evaluation of venue specifications and production standards, original bids from Plovdiv and Varna did not advance to the next round of the selection process.
Bulgaria secured the right to host the global music event for the first time in its history following DARA’s victory at the 2026 contest in Vienna with her song “Bangaranga.” With the host city selection narrowing down from four initial municipalities, the international evaluation working group continued its assessment of Burgas and Sofia before the final decision was announced.
“Such intense competition between cities underscores the significant economic and social benefits of hosting,” said Martin Green CBE, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, in a statement published by eurovision.com. Both Plovdiv and Varna were thanked for their bids, with BNT Director General Milena Milotinova noting that the initial cut was based strictly on pre-established technical and infrastructural criteria applied equally to all candidates.
Evaluating the Final Host City Bids for 2027
The selection process kicked off after Bulgaria’s landmark win in May 2026 at the Wiener Stadthalle, where artist Darina Nikolaeva Yotova—performing under her stage name DARA—captured the television audience and the trophy. The reigning champion hails from Varna, the Black Sea coastal resort that entered an early bid before being eliminated alongside Plovdiv, the country’s oldest city and a 2019 European Capital of Culture.
Burgas has pitched its modern Arena Burgas, which opened in 2023, as the primary venue for the televised shows. Eurovision organizers have scheduled the two semifinal events for Tuesday, May 11, and Thursday, May 13, 2027, with the grand final slated for Saturday, May 15, 2027.
“Burgas brings something very special to the Eurovision Song Contest,” Green said, highlighting the city’s identity along the Black Sea coast. Meanwhile, Burgas Mayor Dimitar Nikolov emphasized national unity around the project, stating that the event represents the entire country rather than a single municipality.
Economic Impact and Precedents from Past Contests
Host cities for the Eurovision Song Contest traditionally experience substantial economic stimulation, drawing thousands of international travelers and boosting local tourism sectors. For instance, the contest in Basel delivered a financial boost of 58 million euro in 2025, while Vienna recorded 160,000 hotel room bookings surrounding the 2026 event.
As the international evaluation working group finalized its review of technical compliance, infrastructure, and security requirements in Burgas and Sofia, local municipal teams prepared for the final decision. BNT has indicated that eliminated cities like Plovdiv and Varna may still be incorporated into accompanying cultural programs and nationwide celebrations tied to the contest next May.
Next Steps in the Selection Timeline
The EBU and BNT have announced the winning host city for the 2027 competition following the completion of the evaluation phase. Official updates regarding venue logistics, ticket sales, and accredited delegation schedules will be published via the official Eurovision channels as planning for Bulgaria’s debut hosting duties accelerates.
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