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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Entertainment
Pierra Willix

Eurovision confirms 2027 host city after Dara’s historic victory

Burgas has been selected to host the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, organisers have confirmed.

Bulgaria earned hosting rights after singer Dara won this year’s competition in Vienna, Austria, in May.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Bulgarian National Television (BNT) announced Burgas will stage the 71st event in May 2027.

The contest will be held at Arena Burgas, Bulgaria’s newest sports and entertainment complex, which opened in 2023.

Confirming the news, Eurovision Song Contest director Martin Green said: “We are delighted that Burgas will be the host city for the Eurovision Song Contest 2027.

“Burgas brings something really special to the Eurovision Song Contest. It 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.

“For the first Eurovision Song Contest ever to be held in Bulgaria, we want to create something that feels truly Bulgarian while also being unmistakably Eurovision – a celebration that brings people together through music.

“We thank all of the cities which showed such enthusiasm in their bids to host Bulgaria’s first ever Eurovision Song Contest.”

Bulgaria secured the right to host next year’s Eurovision after singer Dara won this year’s event (PA)
Bulgaria secured the right to host next year’s Eurovision after singer Dara won this year’s event (PA)

He added: “Together with BNT, the city of Burgas and our partners across Bulgaria, we are looking forward to creating an unforgettable Eurovision week in May and welcoming the world to Burgas.”

The EBU said Burgas was selected following a “competitive” process involving four Bulgarian cities.

Burgas and Sofia progressed to the final stage of the selection process following the initial bids, which included those from Varna and Plovdiv.

Burgas was ultimately selected for its “strong overall proposition, combining the venue and technical potential” required for the Eurovision Song Contest with accommodation capacity, transport and international connectivity.

BNT director general Milena Milotinova said she was “confident” Bulgaria would be a “worthy” Eurovision host and the country would “showcase the very best of our culture, hospitality and professionalism”.

She added that BNT, the EBU and Burgas “now have an intensive period of collaboration ahead of us as we work together to deliver a contest that meets the high expectations of millions of viewers around the world”.

Burgas mayor Dimitar Nikolov added that it was an “exceptional honour” to host the 2027 contest.

The 2027 Eurovision Song Contest will be held from 11 to 15 May, with the semi-finals on Tuesday 11 May and Thursday 13 May.

The grand final will then take place on Saturday 15 May.

Dara’s win for Bulgaria with the song Bangaranga secured the country’s first-ever Eurovision win.

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