As the deadline for the submission of bids passes, BNT the Bulgarian national broadcaster has confirmed that the decision of who will host the Eurovision Song Contest 2027 is between Sofia or Burgas.
The race to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2027
In total four bids were submitted to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2027 next May in Bulgaria. This included bids from Sofia, Burgas, Plovdiv and Varna. During the last week, the Eurovision 2027 Organising Committee and BNT met to discuss the viability of the candidate bids. Following a rigorous assessment into the technical and production specifications required by the EBU, the bids from Plovdiv and Varna were eliminated from the Host City process.
“Thank you to Plovdiv and Varna for their passion for the Eurovision Song Contest and interest in hosting this event that unites millions of people around the world with the power of music. Such intense competition between cities underscores the significant economic and social benefits of hosting. Both bids demonstrated just how widespread the support for next year’s event is across Bulgaria and we hope both cities will be part of the nationwide celebrations next May.”
Martin Green, CBE, (Director of the Eurovision Song Contest)
“We would like to emphasise that this decision is based solely on the assessment of the pre-established technical and infrastructure criteria, which were applied equally to all candidates. It does not call into question the undeniable strengths of your cities or their well-established traditions in music, culture, and international festivals. This also creates opportunities for their participation in the programme of accompanying events.”
Milena Milotinova, (BNT Director General)
Sofia or Burgas?
That means the choice is now between the capital city of Sofia or the holiday hotspot of Burgas. A final decision is expected in the coming weeks. Further evaluation work into the details of the two bids remains ongoing. The initial criteria required for a bid to pass the threshold is as follows:
- An international airport no more than 90 minutes from the city.
- Over 2,000 hotel rooms in the area close to the event.
- Plans for security and sustainability initiatives.
- An infrastructure (stadium/venue/centre) capable of hosting a large-scale live broadcast with the minimum requirements listed below.
- Be indoors with air-conditioning and have a well defined perimeter.
- An audience capacity in the main hall of at least 10,000.
- A main hall with the capacity to house the set and all other requirements needed to produce a high level broadcast production (this includes good specifications of load capacity in the roof, clearance to low beams, easy load in access, etc);
- Have ample space within easy access of the main hall to support additional production needs, such as: a press centre, delegation spaces, dressing rooms, artist facilities, staff facilities, hospitality, audience facilities, etc;
- Be available exclusively for 8 weeks – this includes a week after the end of the event for dismantling.
Sofia
Leading the way is Sofia, as the capital city of Bulgaria. Hosting the live shows would be the Arena Armeec (Arena 8888) which boasts a capacity just shy of 18,000. Far above the required EBU minimum capacity iof10,000. Away from the venue, the National Palace of Culture is in consideration to host the Opening Ceremony and Eurovision Village. Meanwhile the Toplocentrala seems the likely candidate for Euroclub.
With good transport links hotel availability and a major international airport, this puts Sofia as the favourite to host Eurovision 2027. Back in 2015 Sofia hosted the Junior Eurovision Song Contest.
Burgas
With Eurovision returning to capital cities again, many consider Burgas to be the underdog in this host city battle. However, it should not be so easily dismissed. The newly-built Arena Burgas in 2023 has a capacity of 15,000. This puts Burgas firmly in contention as a contender alongside the capital city of Sofia. As a popular tourist hotspot on the Black Sea Coast in the vicinity of Sunny Beach, Burgas also has good transport and hotel accommodation.
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