Tomorrow: We'll Finally Know the City Chosen to Host Eurovision, Big Drama Coming?

The European Broadcasting Union last week delayed the announcement of the identity of the city that will host the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027. After moving on to the final stage, which included 4 cities, two remained in the race: the capital Sofia and Burgas, the popular and touristy coastal city.

The decision on the identity of the host city involves many clauses in the contract between the European Broadcasting Union and the authorities of the country that won the competition the previous year. In this case, with Bulgaria, which won Eurovision for the first time in its history in 2026.

Burgas. Photo: Shutterstock

Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, was the city that led the odds of winning the hosting rights until recently, but after the announcement was postponed, various voices were heard in Bulgaria claiming that nothing was yet finalized and the race to host was open.

However, traditionally, most host countries have chosen the capital city to host the contest the first time they do so. 

Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Photo: Shutterstock

Meanwhile, the European Broadcasting Union issued an unusual announcement today (12.8.26) according to which the competition rules have been updated and according to which if the winning country is experiencing a military conflict, a sensitive geopolitical situation, or any other circumstance that could materially affect the security, safety, or stability of the country or its adjacent region - the winning broadcaster will not automatically be eligible to host the Eurovision Song Contest.

This is not a new declaration, but a legal fixation on a situation that already existed, whether it was in Eurovision 2023, which took place in Liverpool, UK, instead of in Ukraine, or in other similar cases in the past.

Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool. Photo: SHUTTERSTOCK

"In cases where necessary, the EBU may commission an independent security assessment of the area where the contest is to take place. The union will then consult with the Eurovision Reference Group and determine whether the winning broadcaster is able to produce the contest safely," the latest announcement reads.

It was also stated that, if the country cannot host, the EBU will appoint an alternative broadcasting body that will take over full responsibility for producing the event. The new host body will bear all rights, obligations and responsibilities relating to the organization, production and staging of the competition, and will produce it independently, and not on behalf of the winning country.