By Olivia Le Poidevin
GENEVA, Aug 13 (Reuters) – The Black Sea city of Burgas in Bulgaria has been selected to host the Eurovision Song Contest in May next year, the show’s organisers said on Thursday.
Bulgaria won the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in May in a final overshadowed by five countries boycotting the event over Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, claiming a dramatic victory despite another big public vote for Israel that again secured it second place.
The garish and usually good-natured competition involving pop acts from countries across Europe and beyond, heading into its 71st year in 2027, was plunged into crisis by the dispute over Gaza.
Arena Burgas, in Bulgaria’s fourth-largest city, will welcome thousands of fans from around the world for the live show, which will be watched by millions of people, the European Broadcasting Union said.
Burgas, known for its beaches and cultural life, was chosen over the capital Sofia because of its accommodation capacity, venue potential and overall vision to transform the city for the contest, the EBU said.
“Burgas brings something really special to the Eurovision Song Contest,” Martin Green, director of the Eurovision Song Contest, said in a statement.
“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.”
The contest’s two semi-finals will take place on Tuesday May 11 and Thursday May 13 and the final on Saturday May 15, 2027, the EBU said.
ECONOMIC BOOST FROM HOSTING
Host cities have benefited economically from hosting the contest, using the event to showcase their city and country to a global audience, the EBU said.
The Swiss city of Basel generated a €58 million ($67 million) economic boost when it hosted the show in 2025, the EBU said. Vienna also saw strong returns from this year’s contest, with 88,000 additional visitors.
The contest’s organisers have approved a series of rule changes, including a provision barring winning broadcasters from hosting the event if armed conflict or security concerns affect their country or region.
The EBU said it may commission an independent security assessment and, if necessary, appoint an alternative host broadcaster, which would assume full responsibility for staging the event.
The annual rule review also raises the minimum age for participating artists to 18 from 16, a move the EBU said was designed to strengthen safeguards for young performers.
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(Reporting by Olivia Le Poidevin, Editing by Friederike Heine and Keith Weir)
