Burgas to Host Eurovision 2027
Instead of the expected Sofia, the 71st edition of the competition will be held in Bulgaria's fourth-largest city. Here's your guide to accommodation, prices, and attractions.
Instead of the expected Sofia, the 71st edition of the competition will be held in Bulgaria's fourth-largest city. Here's your guide to accommodation, prices, and attractions.
The Bulgarian city of Burgas will host the 71st edition of Eurovision, scheduled for 2027. The news was announced on Thursday, August 13, 2026, surprising many who had expected the capital, Sofia, to host the event. The semi-final evenings are set for May 11 and 13, 2027, with the grand final on May 15, 2027.
Bulgaria earned the right to host the competition for the first time after singer Dara won Eurovision 2026 in Vienna with the song "Bangaranga." In the final selection for the host city, Burgas beat Sofia, while Plovdiv and Varna had been eliminated earlier. According to Euronews, Burgas is Bulgaria's fourth-largest city, located on the Black Sea coast, about 400 kilometers from Sofia and less than 150 kilometers south of Varna, Dara's hometown.
The EBU cited Burgas's accommodation capacity, the arena's potential, and the city's overall vision for hosting the competition as reasons for the decision. EBU representative Green explained: "Burgas is a vibrant, welcoming city on the Black Sea with a strong musical and cultural identity, and it has the ambition, infrastructure, and passion needed to welcome the Eurovision family." He added that for the first Eurovision ever held in Bulgaria, they want to create something that truly feels Bulgarian while unmistakably Eurovision-a celebration that brings people together through music.
Interestingly, after the victory in May 2026, both BNT director Milena Miltenova and Dara herself had announced Sofia as the host. "I'm so proud of Dara's performance. What she did last night was incredible. And I'm so proud to say: welcome to Sofia next year," said Miltenova. Dara added: "I'm so happy you're coming to Sofia next year. I'm happy that (Eurovision) will be held in my home."
However, some Eurovision fans on social media are not thrilled with the choice of Burgas. Some believe Sofia, as a larger city with more developed transport and tourism infrastructure, would have been a more logical choice.
The competition will take place at Arena Burgas, one of Bulgaria's newest major venues, which can hold around 15,000 people for concerts. However, its construction was marred by numerous controversies. Work began in October 2014, and according to initial plans, the arena was supposed to be completed by early 2017. It only opened in May 2023, after years of delays, and construction costs had significantly increased in the meantime.
Burgas Airport is just 10 kilometers from the city center and has direct flights from many European hubs, including London, Rome, and Berlin. If traveling from Sofia, trains run about eight times a day, with the fastest journey taking 5 hours and 43 minutes. Buses are even quicker, with a minimum travel time of 5 hours and an average of six departures daily.
As for accommodation, Burgas is surprisingly affordable. According to Euronews data, private rooms in August are available from as little as 32 euros per night, four-star hotels from 67 euros, while a night at the five-star Residence Promenade Hotel can be secured for 130 euros.
Burgas offers beaches for every taste. The Central Beach and Northern Beach are lively, full of restaurants and bars, while Sarafovo and Kraymorie beaches are more relaxed and known for their natural beauty. The Sea Garden stretches for 5 kilometers of paved promenades through a vast public park, ideal for walking or cycling. Burgas's Old Town is a pedestrian zone with restaurants, bars, shops, and the Orthodox Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius.
Local cuisine is also worth exploring. The coastal city is known for midi po burgaski, mussels cooked in their shells with onion, tomato, pepper, and herbs, as well as grilled Black Sea flounder. Food and drink prices are extremely reasonable: an average meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs 12.39 euros, half a liter of local draft beer is 1.79 euros, and a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant, excluding drinks, is 40.90 euros.
This week, organizers updated the rules so that a country involved in an armed conflict, if it wins the competition, will not be able to host the following year. The change was approved following feedback from participating broadcasters after Eurovision 2026 in Vienna. According to BBC World, the rule is seen as a reaction to Israel's continued participation, amid criticism of its military actions in Gaza and the Middle East. Last November, after a failed attempt to suspend Israel, five broadcasters announced a boycott of the competition, including Spain and Ireland. Despite protests, Israeli contestant Noam Bettan finished second with the song "Michelle."
While Israel will undoubtedly be seen as the target of the rule change, it will also affect Ukraine, which has been in a prolonged war since the Russian invasion in 2022. The Ukrainian group Kalush Orchestra won Eurovision that same year, in a symbolic show of public support. After their victory, organizers conducted a "full assessment and feasibility study" to decide whether the 2023 competition could be held in Kyiv. Ultimately, they concluded that security risks were too great, and Liverpool stepped in as host.
