Varna, Sofia mayors discuss Eurovision hosting

Varna and Sofia have opened a public contest to host Eurovision 2027 after Bulgaria’s first win in the competition, with both city mayors making their case on May 19 while national authorities have yet to name a venue. Novinite reported that Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev said it would be “logical” for the Black Sea city to host because singer DARA is from Varna. In a separate interview the same day, Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev said the capital was ready to stage the event “on a grand scale.” ### Why are Varna and Sofia talking now if no host city has been chosen? Bulgarian National Television and state institutions have not formally confirmed a host city, but both mayors said preparatory work was already being discussed ahead of a final decision. Terziev told Novinite that Sofia was working on the necessary steps before official confirmation from BNT and other institutions. Kotsev said Varna was also positioning itself as a candidate as local officials weighed the opportunity. (novinite.com) May 2026 has become the first public stage of that process because Bulgaria won Eurovision in Vienna with DARA, according to the official Eurovision site. Under contest practice, the winning broadcaster and national authorities organize the following year’s event, which has pushed Bulgarian cities to begin lobbying before the internal consultations are complete. That timing explains why the city debate is moving faster than any formal announcement. (novinite.com) ### What is Varna’s argument? Blagomir Kotsev tied Varna’s bid directly to DARA’s hometown connection. Novinite reported that he called a Varna-hosted contest “logical” because the singer who delivered Bulgaria’s victory comes from the city. The same report said Varna’s municipal council is expected to vote on May 28 on a proposal to grant DARA honorary citizenship. (eurovision.tv) Varna’s case, as presented publicly so far, is as much symbolic as logistical. Kotsev also entered the broader cost debate that began after Bulgaria’s win, when officials and economists started discussing the scale of a possible 2027 event. Novinite reported on May 17 that the budget question had already moved into public discussion, with city leaders among those weighing the financial burden and potential benefits. (novinite.com) ### What is Sofia’s argument? Vasil Terziev’s pitch centered on capacity. Novinite reported that the Sofia mayor said the capital was fully prepared to host Eurovision and could do so on a “grand scale.” He said the city was already considering the organizational steps needed if national authorities select Sofia. (novinite.com) Sofia’s public case rests on existing scale rather than hometown symbolism. Terziev’s comments, as quoted by Novinite, pointed to the capital’s ability to absorb a large international event once BNT and the state complete their review. He did not present the city as already chosen, but as ready if chosen. (novinite.com) ### How much of this is about money? The cost question surfaced almost immediately after Bulgaria’s victory. Novinite reported on May 17 that a national debate had begun over what hosting Eurovision 2027 could cost, with officials, economists and city representatives discussing both the organizational burden and the possible tourism and visibility gains. Neither of the May 19 mayoral interviews announced a final budget. (novinite.com) Both city pitches therefore remain political and preliminary. The mayors are outlining benefits and readiness, while the broadcaster and state institutions still control the formal process that will determine whether Bulgaria hosts in Sofia, Varna or another city. ### What happens next in the Bulgarian process? (novinite.com) May 28 is the next dated milestone mentioned publicly, when Varna’s municipal council is expected to vote on honorary citizenship for DARA. The larger decision on Eurovision hosting is expected later this month after consultations by Bulgarian National Television and state institutions, according to Terziev’s comments reported by Novinite. Until then, the public contest between Varna and Sofia remains a campaign rather than a designation. (novinite.com)