Last May, Bulgaria won Eurovision 2026, thanks to Dara with the song “Bangaranga”
Bulgarian broadcaster BNT has officially launched the host city bidding for Eurovision 2027.
4 cities applied to host Eurovision 2027: Sofia, Burgas, Varna, and Plovdiv.
Today, BNT introduced the candidates to the requirements.
A city would have to meet numerous conditions to be able to recognize the ESC: including sufficiently large halls, sufficient accommodation, public transportation availability etc
BNT Director General Milena Milotinova notes that the city is expected to be selected by the end of July. In principle, the EBU has a rule that this should happen by August, but there is a rush to shorten the procedures so that the administration of the respective winning city can launch its public procurements.
Milena Milotinova commented:
A very large set of requirements, including for a cultural program that the host city offers, for a venue, and for accompanying infrastructure. A working group will evaluate their proposals.
I want to thank the Bulgarian government for the lightning-fast reaction immediately after Bulgaria’s hosting was announced – they expressed their support for the hosting.
BNT will not only be an organizer, it will be a partner with the host city so that Eurovision can be built as a complete event. And here we are not talking about an organization of 2-3 months, but a whole year of intensive preparation
Here are the main details regarding the 4 potential host cities:
Sofia (The Capital Option)
- Geography: Located in western Bulgaria at the base of Vitosha Mountain; the nation’s capital and largest city.
- Well Known For: Its ancient Roman ruins, the gold-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and vibrant urban culture.
- Public Transportation: The best in the country, featuring a fast four-line metro system connecting Sofia Airport straight to the city center.
- Arena Capabilities: Arena Sofia (12,000+ capacity for concerts), making it the largest and most logistically prepared venue for a massive Eurovision production.
Burgas (The Modern Coast Option)
- Geography: Situated on the southern Black Sea coast, surrounded by scenic wetlands and serving as Bulgaria’s largest port.
- Well Known For: Its relaxed maritime vibe, annual sand-sculpture festivals, and prominent summer music events.
- Public Transportation: A highly modernized fleet of eco-buses and trolleybuses, alongside a busy international airport.
- Arena Capabilities: Arena Burgas (10,000–12,000 concert capacity), a newer, state-of-the-art mega-complex that stands as the strongest rival to Sofia’s arena.
Varna (The Sea Capital)
- Geography: Located on the northern coast of the Black Sea; a major maritime and economic hub.
- Well Known For: Beautiful beaches, the massive Sea Garden park, vibrant summer nightlife, and nearby seaside resorts.
- Public Transportation: Served by Varna International Airport and a reliable network of local buses and trolleybuses.
- Arena Capabilities: Palace of Culture and Sports (~5,000–6,000 capacity), a famous mid-sized venue regularly used for international volleyball and concerts.
Plovdiv (The Cultural Option)
- Geography: Situated in south-central Bulgaria, uniquely built around seven historic hills along the Maritsa River.
- Well Known For: Being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, its romantic Old Town, and its stunning Roman Amphitheatre.
- Public Transportation: A very walkable city center supported by an extensive network of city buses; connected by regional rail and a small airport.
- Arena Capabilities: Kolodruma Velodrome (~6,000–7,000 concert capacity), a modern indoor venue that would offer an intimate, albeit tighter, production space.
Eurovision 2027 will take place in May 2027 in Bulgaria