Eurovision News 
Bulgaria is abuzz with excitement as Burgas prepares to host the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027. Milena Milotinova, the General Director of Bulgarian National Television (BNT), has shed light on the rigorous selection process, confirming that Burgas was chosen due to its exceptionally strong and comprehensive bid.
Burgas triumphs with a strong overall proposition
BNT Director General Milena Milotinova elaborated on the decision to select Burgas as the host city for the 71st Eurovision Song Contest. In an interview, she highlighted that Burgas presented the strongest overall proposition, which encompassed a combination of crucial factors.
Milotinova emphasised that the evaluation process was thorough and expert-led, avoiding any political influence. The city’s bid was assessed based on five key areas: infrastructure, venues and technical requirements; commitment, management, and implementation capability of the host city; safety, security, and sustainability; transport and accommodation; and branding, experience for fans and tourists, and communication.
Key factors in Burgas’ winning bid
The General Director noted that Burgas showcased a strong commitment from the municipal authorities, excellent transport links, robust infrastructure, and ample hotel accommodation. Furthermore, Burgas presented a clear vision for transforming the entire city and surrounding region into an integral part of the Eurovision experience, promising a memorable event for all.
Preparations for the highly anticipated international event are already well underway. BNT is working closely with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to ensure a successful and unforgettable contest. Milotinova also expressed BNT’s ambition to involve other Bulgarian cities that participated in the host city selection, such as Sofia, Varna, and Plovdiv, in the wider programme of events.
Milena Milotinova (BNT General Director) shed more light on the reasons why Burgas won the Eurovision 2027 hosting bid.
Milena Milotinova says:
Burgas presented the strongest overall candidacy. This includes a venue for the event itself, the Burgas arena, very strong commitment from the municipality, transport connectivity, good infrastructure, a good base for hotel accommodation. And also a vision of how to make the overall experience so that it includes the entire city, not just the city of Burgas and the region, and becomes a memorable event.
Milena goes on to say:
The fact that Burgas wins the hosting, and the other three municipalities that applied and actually submitted quite good applications, does not mean that the event will be held in only one city. We have expressed our readiness to invite the mayors and discuss with them the possibilities for additional events to be held in their cities within the framework of the accompanying program of Eurovision 2027. They are very enthusiastic about holding such accompanying events in their cities and I think we will do it in the best way. Our ambition is to truly hold an event that will be national within the framework of this large global international forum.
Milena adds:
The assessment is complex, it includes many criteria in five areas. The documentation is huge, dozens of pages, which have been reviewed by the expert working group with international participation, which includes our staff from BNT who have participated in the preparation for Eurovision in the last 10-15 years, the EBU and international experts who have been doing Eurovision for 15 years. An international assessment group with extremely strong expertise.
Milena goes on to comment:
In the overall organization process, we go step by step with the EBU, hand in hand with the EBU. Theirs are the criteria for selecting a host city, theirs are the guides and guidelines. We are in constant contact with online meetings, online sessions with them and their experts. We do everything together in close coordination, because the event is of a huge international scale.
Milena sheds more light on Burgas:
Burgas is starting housekeeping work today. We had a working meeting yesterday with the mayor of Burgas and with that part of his team that was with him here in Sofia for the signing of the contract. Today they are starting to level the terrain around the Arena Burgas hall, so as to prepare them for the accompanying infrastructure and buildings that will be built around the hall.
Thhere is a lot of work to be done. BNT has a motivated team, Burgas Municipality also has a motivated team. This team was given to us by name, it was determined at the tender documentation stage, so we are getting to work and will inform the public about the steps from now on.
Bulgaria’s first Eurovision hosting
This will mark Bulgaria’s first time hosting the Eurovision Song Contest, following Dara’s historic victory in Vienna in May 2026. The semi-finals are scheduled for May 11 and May 13, 2027, with the Grand Final set for May 15, 2027, at the Arena Burgas. Arena Burgas, a modern sports and entertainment venue that opened in 2023, boasts a capacity of up to 15,000 people for live concerts.
