Burgas will put Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast in the international spotlight next May when it hosts the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest.
The Bulgarian city of over 220,000 inhabitants was selected by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to stage the competition, beating expectations that the capital Sofia would be chosen.
The event will mark the first time Bulgaria has hosted Eurovision, following Bulgarian singer Dara’s victory at this year’s contest in Vienna.
The Grand Final is scheduled for May 15, 2027, with the two semi-finals taking place on May 11 and 13.
For Burgas, the event is more than a major music show. It represents a significant tourism opportunity for one of Bulgaria’s best-known coastal destinations.
The wider Burgas region recorded 9.45 million overnight stays during the 2025 summer season, according to Bulgaria’s Ministry of Tourism. The region also registered 1.91 million tourist arrivals and generated around US$545 million in accommodation revenue.
Burgas city itself recorded 454,553 overnight stays in accommodation establishments in 2025, including 142,065 nights generated by international visitors.
These figures underline the scale of the destination’s existing tourism business, while also highlighting the potential for Eurovision to bring additional visitors outside the traditional peak period. Eurovision could as well help Burgas tackle one of the biggest challenges facing coastal destinations: seasonality.
Visitors arriving for the contest may also extend their trips into other parts of Bulgaria or return later in the summer after discovering the Black Sea coast.
The EBU said Burgas offers a “very unique setting” for the world’s largest live music event, highlighting its beaches, parks, cultural life and reputation for hosting music, arts and international cultural events.
Martin Green, director of the Eurovision Song Contest, said organizers want the first Eurovision in Bulgaria to feel “truly Bulgarian” while remaining an unmistakable Eurovision celebration.
That positioning could be particularly valuable for tourism. The contest’s huge international television audience gives Burgas an opportunity to showcase its coastline and cultural attractions to potential visitors who may not yet have Bulgaria on their travel list.
The biggest tourism dividend could come after the Eurovision stage is dismantled, if the global exposure translates into longer stays, repeat visits and stronger demand for Burgas beyond the traditional summer peak.