Burgas Calling! Meet the Host City of Eurovision 2027

The first post of the new Eurovision year is here – and it is all about our host city!

In mid-August, EBU together with the Bulgarian National Television (BNT) revealed that the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest will be held in… Burgas! Yes, Burgas – not Sofia (even though I really wanted a t-shirt with Good Evening, Sofia!).

Four Bulgarian cities submitte bids to host the contest: Sofia, Burgas, Varna and Plovdiv. Sofia and Burgas progressed to the final stage with Burgas winning the selection process!

Burgas will host the 71^st Eurovision Song Contest in May 2027. The semi-finals will take place on Tuesday 11^th of May and Thursday 13^th of May and the grand final on Saturday 15^th of May.

The contest will be held at Arena Burgas, which was opened in 2023.

Why was Burgas chosen?

Choosing a Eurovision host city is not as simple as pointing at a map and shouting, “That one has a beach!” – although Burgas does, in fact, have a beach.

The selection process involves reviewing the proposed venues, meeting with the local council and examining everything from technical and production requirements to local infrastructure, accommodation and transport.

Burgas has a modern arena capable of meeting the contest’s technical requirements, along with the infrastructure needed to host visitors from around the globe.

BNT has also stated that the other 3 cities of Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna will be involved in celebrating the contest coming to the country for the first time and spreading the Eurovision magic across the country. Burgas may have won the hosting trophy, but the whole country is invited to the party.

But let’s find out a bit more about Burgas with these fun-facts!

• Burga’s is Bulgaria’s 4^th largest city, with a population of around 210,000.
• It is a seaside city and one of the largest urban centres on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast. Eurovision by the sea? Pack the flags, glitter and sunscreen.
• Music and culture play a major role in city life, with Burgas hosting arts events and international cultural festivals throughout the year.
• Its coastline stretches for around seven kilometres, offering plenty of space for Eurovision fans to recover after a very late semi-final night.
• Burgas has Bulgaria’s largest port, making the city an important part of the country’s economy.
• It is known as the “City of Lakes”, thanks to the natural and artificial lakes surrounding it.
• The wider region has links to Bulgaria’s famous rose-oil industry. If the Eurovision stage smells unexpectedly floral, we may know why.
• Burgas hosts an annual Sand Sculpture Festival, where international artists create elaborate works from sand.

Burgas is rich in history, culture, music and natural beauty, making it an exciting choice for Eurovision 2027. With a modern arena, a lively cultural scene and the Black Sea on its doorstep, the city has all the ingredients for a memorable contest.

We cannot wait to see what Burgas has planned. One thing is certain: in May 2027, all roads – and possibly several boats – will lead to Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast.