The 71st Eurovision final will take place on 15 May 2027 in the Bulgarian city of Burgas, organisers have officially confirmed. The competition, which serves as the pinnacle of the European musical calendar, will be held in the city, which is situated close to the Black Sea, from 12 to 15 May. This announcement was made jointly by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Bulgarian National Television (BNT) on Thursday.
The selection of Burgas follows the landmark victory of Bulgarian singer Dara at this year’s contest in Vienna, Austria, in May. Her win marked her country’s first-ever Eurovision triumph, achieved with her pneumatic dance anthem, Bangaranga.
Eurovision Song Contest director Martin Green stated that the organisers were “delighted” with the choice of destination. He added that Burgas would “bring something really special” to the competition, noting that the city is a vibrant, welcoming location with a strong musical and cultural identity. According to Green, the city possesses the necessary ambition, infrastructure, and passion to host the Eurovision family effectively.
The entire contest, including the rehearsals, the semi-finals, and the grand final, will be hosted at Arena Burgas. This facility is Bulgaria’s newest sports and entertainment venue, having officially opened its doors in 2023. Organisers aim to create an event that feels authentically Bulgarian while maintaining the unmistakable spirit of Eurovision.
Bulgaria’s fourth-largest city was chosen following a competitive process that evaluated the “strong overall proposition” of various candidates, specifically looking at venue quality, technical potential, hotel capacity, and international transport links. While initial bids included Varna and Plovdiv, the final selection process narrowed down to Burgas and Sofia.
Reacting to the news, Dara expressed her excitement: “I’m so happy that Bulgaria will host Eurovision, so be ready because we’re going to scream! And I know that all of my seaside people are great at parties.” Her enthusiasm reflects the broader national pride surrounding the upcoming event.
The decision to host in Burgas rather than the capital, Sofia, may have surprised some observers. Following the contest in May, BNT director Milena Miltenova had initially spoken about welcoming visitors to Sofia. During that press conference, she praised Dara’s performance, stating, “What she did last night was amazing.” At the time, Dara had also remarked, “I’m so happy that you’re coming to Sofia next year. I’m happy that it is going to be in my home.”
Despite these early expectations, the EBU confirmed that the competitive bidding process ultimately favored the coastal city. Miltenova has since expressed confidence that Bulgaria will be a “worthy” host, promising to showcase the best of the nation’s culture, hospitality, and professionalism. She noted that an “intensive period of collaboration” is now underway to ensure the event meets the high expectations of millions of global viewers.
Burgas mayor Dimitar Nikolov mayor Dimitar Nikolov Nikolov described the selection as an “exceptional honour” for the city. Local residents have also shared positive sentiments, with many noting that hosting the event near the sea will provide a unique opportunity for international visitors to explore more of Bulgaria’s diverse landscape beyond the capital.
The economic impact of hosting Eurovision is significant. According to EBU data, previous host cities have seen substantial financial boosts, with Liverpool reporting a €66m impact in 2023, Malmö €40m in 2024, and Basel €58m in 2025. The event serves as a major platform for host cities to gain international visibility.
In a separate development, the EBU recently updated its rules regarding host eligibility. The governing body approved an amendment stating that if a country involved in an armed conflict wins, it will be ineligible to host the following year. This rule also applies if a “sensitive geopolitical situation” affects the “security, safety or stability” of the state or its immediate region.
While this update follows feedback from broadcasters after the 2026 Vienna contest, it has been widely interpreted as a response to the ongoing conflict involving Israel and the war in Ukraine. The policy ensures that the contest remains focused on its core mission while maintaining the safety of all participants and attendees during times of international instability.
“I think it’s a good choice, because a lot of events happen in Sofia,” one resident told BNT immediately after the announcement.
Although Israel will undoubtedly be seen as the target of the rule change, it will also affect Ukraine, which has been engaged in a protracted war since it was invaded by Russia in 2022.
Following their victory, Eurovision organisers undertook a “full assessment and feasibility study” to decide whether the 2023 contest could proceed in Kyiv.
The update has been interpreted as a reaction to Israel’s continued presence at the contest, amid criticism of its military actions in Gaza and the Middle East.
Last November, following a failed attempt to have Israel suspended, five broadcasters announced they were boycotting the competition – including Eurovision powerhouses Spain and Ireland.
Despite the protests, Israel’s Noam Bettan ultimately took second place with his song Michelle.
It marked the second year in a row that Israel had taken the runners-up position – and some participating broadcasters have privately expressed safety concerns over the contest being staged in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv, should the country win in the future.
Ukrainian group Kalush Orchestra went on to win Eurovision that same year, in a symbolic show of public support.
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