The mayor of Burgas, Dimitar Nikolov, announced that the Bulgarian Black Sea city will mobilize all municipal resources to organize the 71st Eurovision Song Contest in May 2027.
Speaking to Bulgarian National Television, the public broadcaster responsible for producing the show, Nikolov said city hall is prepared to work around the clock to make the event a success and leave a lasting legacy for the country.
Nikolov said he has cancelled all annual leave for city employees, who will work without break until the contest begins. He added that municipal staff are at the forefront of their duties and will work 24 hours a day, seven days a week if necessary.
The mayor described the song competition as a historic opportunity for both Burgas and Bulgaria. He promised to commit all required resources so the city can welcome delegations, journalists, and music fans from across Europe.
According to Nikolov, the 2027 festival will act as an international showcase for Bulgaria by highlighting the attractions of Burgas and the surrounding Black Sea region. He said local authorities will do everything possible to ensure the contest is remembered and that people talk about Bulgaria for years to come.
Venue adaptations and infrastructure work
Organizers have already started planning work on local infrastructure, public mobility, venue security, and visitor accommodation. The chosen venue for the contest is Arena Burgas, an indoor facility that will require technical modifications to its sound, acoustics, and logistics systems.
City officials are also preparing reinforcements for local public transportation networks. Municipal leaders expressed confidence that the wide range of hotels in the area will comfortably accommodate incoming visitors without housing shortages.
Nikolov noted that the project extends far beyond hosting three nights of live television. He described Burgas as a city defined by love, smiles, hospitality, and the sea, expressing confidence that the event will build a positive image for the nation.
Public vote for official event mascot
Bulgarian National Television has launched a public consultation on social media to select the official mascot for the 2027 competition. The broadcaster released several potential designs for public consideration.
Prominent options include Gaviota Euroglarus, a seagull character created by the Burgas Puppet Theatre, and Kapi, a capybara residing at the Burgas Zoo. Broadcaster officials noted that these candidates are among several options being evaluated for the event mascot.
Key deadlines in preparation calendar
Bulgaria has formally started its operational countdown toward the contest, setting a strict schedule for organizational milestones over the coming months.
By August 30, organizers will announce the core creative team responsible for designing the visual and artistic identity of the show, including the executive producer, creative director, and showrunner. Following that appointment, officials will present the projected budget and financial model by October 10 to ensure the economic viability of the production.
Burgas is the fourth largest city in Bulgaria, located on the Black Sea coast. The Eurovision Song Contest, organized annually by the European Broadcasting Union, is one of the longest running television music competitions in the world, bringing together performers representing countries across Europe and beyond.
