How a Eurovision host city is actually chosen
Not by the government, not by a vote, and not always by the city you would expect.
The short answer
The Eurovision host city is chosen by the broadcaster of the winning country, not by its government or by the EBU, through a bidding process in which candidate cities submit proposals covering the arena, hotel capacity, transport and funding.
When a country wins Eurovision, the contest goes to that country. Which city it goes to is a separate decision, made later, by a smaller group of people than most viewers assume.
Who decides
The winning country's broadcaster decides, in consultation with the EBU. Not the government. Not a public vote. Not the EBU alone.
This matters for Bulgaria in 2027: the decision belongs to BNT, and any statement from a mayor, a ministry or a regional authority is a bid being advocated, not a decision being announced. It is the single most common way host-city coverage goes wrong — a city says it is ready, and that gets reported as a city being chosen.
What a bid has to contain
Cities submit formal proposals against a requirements list that has grown considerably over the years. The core of it:
| Requirement | Roughly what is needed |
|---|---|
| Arena | An indoor venue that can be handed over for around six weeks, with the capacity and rigging load for the production |
| Hotel beds | Thousands, within reach of the venue, for delegations, press and fans |
| Press centre | A large adjacent space, operational for the full period |
| Airport | International connections for around forty delegations and their freight |
| Money | A host city contribution, which is substantial and usually public |
The six-week handover is the requirement that eliminates most candidates quietly. It is not enough to have an arena; the city has to be able to give it up, along with the events it would otherwise host, for a month and a half.
The capital does not always win
| Contest | Host city | The capital was |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Liverpool | London |
| 2024 | Malmö | Stockholm |
| 2022 | Turin | Rome |
| 2021 | Rotterdam | Amsterdam |
| 2016 | Stockholm | Stockholm |
Non-capital hosts are normal, and the reasons are usually practical rather than sentimental: an available arena, a willing city budget, a compact centre that makes the whole event walkable. A capital has more of everything except availability.
The 2027 decision
BNT shortlisted Sofia and Burgas in July 2026. Sofia had the infrastructure case; Burgas had the television case and a harder logistical one. On 13 August 2026 BNT and the EBU chose Burgas — the television case won.
We tracked that decision, and specifically the difference between what had been formally committed and what had been said to a journalist, on the host city page; on 13 August 2026 BNT and the EBU chose Burgas. Our guides to both cities are here: Sofia and Burgas.
FAQ
Who chooses the Eurovision host city?
The broadcaster of the winning country, in consultation with the EBU. Cities bid, and the broadcaster selects. Governments can support a bid but do not make the decision.
Does the capital city always host Eurovision?
No. Liverpool, Malmö, Turin and Rotterdam are all examples of non-capital host cities, and several were chosen over the capital of the same country.
Which city hosts Eurovision 2027?
Burgas. BNT shortlisted Sofia and Burgas in July 2026 and, with the EBU, named Burgas on 13 August 2026. The shows are at Arena Burgas on 11, 13 and 15 May 2027.