Bulgaria’s search for the host city of the Eurovision Song Contest 2027 has advanced to its second stage. Following the initial evaluation, the cities of Sofia and Burgas have officially been shortlisted, continuing their bids to welcome Europe’s favourite music competition. The final decision is expected by the end of July.
Bulgaria’s Host City Selection Narrows Down
The Bulgarian national broadcaster, BNT, has announced that the cities of Sofia and Burgas are the two remaining contenders in the race to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2027. This significant update comes after the successful completion of the first phase of the rigorous Host City Selection Process, which saw Plovdiv and Varna eliminated from the running.
Martin Green CBE ( Eurovision Director) says:
Thank you to Plovdiv and Varna for their passion for the Eurovision Song Contest and interest in hosting this event that unites millions of people around the world with the power of music. Such intense competition between cities underscores the significant economic and social benefits of hosting. Both bids demonstrated just how widespread the support for next year’s event is across Bulgaria and we hope both cities will be part of the nationwide celebrations next May.
Milena Milotinova (BNT Director) says:
We would like to emphasize that this decision is based solely on the assessment of the pre-established technical and infrastructure criteria, which were applied equally to all candidates. It does not call into question the undeniable strengths of your cities or their well-established traditions in music, culture, and international festivals. This also creates opportunities for their participation in the programme of accompanying events.
Both Sofia and Burgas have demonstrated their capabilities and submitted strong proposals, leading to their advancement in the selection. Sofia, the capital city, is widely considered a frontrunner due to its existing infrastructure, international airport, and the Arena Sofia (also known as Arena 8888), which boasts a capacity of nearly 18,000 spectators. This venue has previously hosted numerous major sporting events and live music productions, making it one of Bulgaria’s most experienced venues for large-scale international events.
Burgas, a vibrant city on the Black Sea coast, has put forward Arena Burgas as its proposed venue. Opened in 2023, this modern arena is among Bulgaria’s largest indoor sports and entertainment facilities and is considered capable of staging an event on the scale of Eurovision, with a capacity of up to 15,000 people for concerts. Burgas is also highlighting its reputation as one of Bulgaria’s leading tourist destinations, presenting a seaside setting that would offer visitors a different Eurovision experience.
The next stage of the selection process will involve further detailed assessments of the two bids, including venue suitability, accommodation capacity, transport links, and financial guarantees. A joint delegation from the EBU and BNT will visit both cities to evaluate their proposals, facilities, and overall plans. A final decision on the host city for the 71st Eurovision Song Contest is expected by the end of July.
