2026 - The Build-Up
| When | What | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 17 May 2026 | BNT confirms it will host Eurovision 2027 | ✓ Done |
| 8 June 2026 | Host city bidding process opens; four cities receive requirements | ✓ Done |
| 12 August 2026 | Host city & venue announced: Burgas, Arena Burgas - with show dates and six preview shows across 10-15 May 2027. Read the announcement | ✓ Done |
| Autumn 2026 | Ticketing partner & process announced; Eurofan pre-registration window | Expected |
| Late 2026 | Semi-final allocation draw (which country sings in which semi) and host city insignia handover | Expected |
| December 2026 | First ticket sale wave possible - recent editions sold out in 7-36 minutes | Expected |
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2027 - Contest Season
| When | What | Status |
|---|---|---|
| January-March 2027 | All ~37 participating countries reveal artists and songs, through their national selections; further ticket waves | Expected |
| March 2027 | Running order details; Eurovision pre-party season begins across Europe | Expected |
| Late April 2027 | Delegations arrive; first individual rehearsals in the host arena | Expected |
| Early May 2027 | Turquoise Carpet opening ceremony; Eurovision Village and EuroClub open | Expected |
| 11 May 2027 | Semi-Final 1 (Tuesday) - Arena Burgas | ✓ Confirmed |
| 13 May 2027 | Semi-Final 2 (Thursday) - Arena Burgas | ✓ Confirmed |
| 15 May 2027 | 🏆 Grand Final (Saturday) - Arena Burgas | ✓ Confirmed |
The show dates were confirmed with the host city announcement on 12 August 2026. Each televised show also has two preview performances (jury and family shows) the day before and the afternoon of broadcast - six preview shows across 10-15 May, the easier tickets to get.
Planning around these dates? The month-by-month checklist tells you exactly what to do at each point - starting with the refundable hotel bookings you can make today.
Month-by-month checklist
✅ Now - June & July 2026
- Book a refundable room in Burgas or on the coast for 9 to 16 May 2027, free cancellation only. The Bed Index shows when prices ease.
- Register as a Eurofan on the official eurovision.com ticket portal (free) - historically required for ticket access. Why it matters →
- Set flight price alerts to Sofia and Burgas for mid-May 2027. Route options →
- Sign up for our announcement alert so the host city news reaches you in minutes.
📍 12 August 2026 - Host City Announced: Burgas ✓
- Done - Burgas won. If you hedged with two bookings, keep Burgas and cancel the Sofia room now; double-check your kept booking's cancellation terms.
- Book flights to Burgas (or Istanbul/Varna as backups) if prices are still sane - they jump within days of the announcement.
- Recheck the host city page and the Burgas guide - arena, transport and neighbourhoods are covered.
🍂 Autumn 2026 - Ticketing Takes Shape
- Complete ticket pre-registration the moment the official process is announced (typically required weeks before the sale).
- Decide your show strategy: Grand Final live show (hardest), semi-final live, or the much easier jury/family preview shows. Know the odds →
- If flying from outside the EU: check passport validity (3+ months beyond your stay).
🎫 December 2026 - January 2027 (expected) - Ticket Sale
- Sale day: logged in early, payment card ready, stable connection. Recent editions sold out in 7-36 minutes.
- Got tickets? Re-confirm your hotel dates against the actual show schedule the same day.
- Missed out? Don't panic - later waves are normal (Basel had several), and preview shows often return to sale.
🌱 February - April 2027 - The Comfort Layer
- Travel insurance - cheap, and covers the cancelled-flight nightmare scenario.
- eSIM or roaming check - EU plans roam free; others, sort an eSIM in advance. Connectivity guide →
- Plan side trips - Plovdiv and the Rila Monastery from Sofia; Nessebar and Sozopol from Burgas. Plovdiv guide →
- Learn five Bulgarian words - "blagodarya" gets you smiles everywhere. Cheat sheet →
🎤 May 2027 - Eurovision Week
- Arrive 1-2 days before your first show; the Eurovision Village and EuroClub start before the semis.
- Carry ID matching your ticket name - tickets are typically personalised.
- Budget reality-check: day-to-day Bulgaria stays cheap even in contest week. The numbers →
The one-line version: hotels now, Eurofan registration now, everything else follows the announcements - and we track every announcement for you.
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