Following Bulgaria’s victory at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, the race to find a host city for Eurovision 2027 is in full swing. Sofia, one of four cities vying for the honour, recently held a crucial meeting with its hospitality sector to prepare its comprehensive bid, demonstrating the capital’s readiness to welcome Europe’s biggest music event.
Sofia’s Bid for Eurovision 2027 Gathers Momentum
Bulgaria is set to host the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in 2027, following Dara’s triumphant victory at the 2026 contest with her song ‘Bangaranga’. The national broadcaster, BNT, has officially launched the bidding process to select the host city, with four prominent Bulgarian cities submitting their proposals: Sofia, Burgas, Plovdiv, and Varna. The deadline for applications was 3rd July 2026, marking a significant step in the selection process.
As part of its robust application, Visit Sofia, the city’s tourism administration, brought together representatives from the capital’s hotel industry for a dedicated meeting on 25th June 2026. The gathering aimed to introduce hotel sector stakeholders to the extensive accommodation requirements set by the Eurovision organisers. Anton Penev, Director of Visit Sofia, shared vital information compiled by his team to ensure a seamless and successful process, highlighting the hospitality sector’s crucial role in hosting an event of this magnitude.
Sofia presents a strong case to host Eurovision 2027. The capital previously hosted the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2015, showcasing its capacity to manage international events. Its proposed venue, Arena Sofia, boasts a capacity of over 10,000 spectators, well above the EBU’s minimum requirement, and benefits from excellent transport links and a major international airport.
The evaluation committee appointed by BNT will now meticulously assess the bids from all four candidate cities against the rigorous criteria set by the European Broadcasting Union, which includes venue capacity, accommodation, transport, security, and financial support. BNT is expected to announce the chosen host city by the end of July 2026, bringing the country one step closer to staging the iconic contest.
