Eurovision Song Contest 2027
May 15, 2027
About Eurovision Song Contest 2027
Eurovision Song Contest 2027 is Saturday 15 May 2027. The Grand Final will be held at Arena Burgas in Burgas, Bulgaria, with semi finals on Tuesday 11 May and Thursday 13 May 2027, as announced by the European Broadcasting Union. The final is always on a Saturday in May.
| Year | Grand Final | Host city |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday 16 May 2026 | Vienna, Austria |
| 2027 | Saturday 15 May 2027 | Burgas, Bulgaria |
| 2028 | To be confirmed | Decided by the 2027 winner |
What is the Eurovision Song Contest?
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual international song competition organised by the European Broadcasting Union, in which member broadcasters each enter an original song performed live. The first contest was held in Lugano, Switzerland, in 1956 with seven countries. It is now one of the most watched non sporting events in the world, with an audience of around 160 million across the three live shows. The official Eurovision website publishes dates, participants and ticketing information.
The 2027 contest is hosted by Bulgaria for the first time, following the country’s win in Vienna in 2026. Burgas, a Black Sea city, will stage the shows at Arena Burgas, which opened in 2023. The format is two semi finals and a Grand Final, with the winner chosen by a combination of national juries and public televoting. The United Kingdom, as one of the Big Five funders alongside France, Germany, Italy and Spain, qualifies automatically for the final.
Why it matters for marketers and organisations
Eurovision is a peak moment for broadcasters, pubs, bars, party supply retailers and food and drink brands, and it has a strong following among LGBTQ+ communities, students and families. Councils and tourism bodies in the host country plan for a large influx of visitors, while UK venues run watch parties and sweepstakes. The angle is joyful, inclusive and slightly camp: brands that get the tone right, with playful commentary and scoring games, do well, while anything that feels cynical about the contest tends to fall flat with fans.
Ideas: how to mark Eurovision
- Host a watch party with a sweepstake where each guest draws a country.
- Publish a printable scorecard for song, staging, outfit and key change.
- Run a themed menu or cocktail list based on the participating countries.
- Invite staff to a Friday afternoon Eurovision playlist session before the Saturday final.
- Create a short explainer on how the voting works for new viewers.
- Partner with an LGBTQ+ charity for a fundraising element at your event.
- Run live social commentary during the final with a clear brand voice and quick reaction posts.
- Highlight the host city with a travel or culture feature in the week before.
Key facts
- The first contest was held on 24 May 1956 in Lugano, Switzerland.
- Ireland and Sweden share the record for the most wins, with seven each.
- The United Kingdom has won five times, most recently in 1997 with Katrina and the Waves.
- ABBA won for Sweden in 1974 with Waterloo, the contest’s most famous winner.
- Liverpool hosted the 2023 contest on behalf of Ukraine, the 2022 winner.
- Semi finals were introduced in 2004 to accommodate the growing number of participants.
Frequently asked questions
When is Eurovision 2028?
The date and host city for 2028 will be announced after the 2027 contest, since the winning country hosts the following year. The Grand Final is normally held on a Saturday in mid May, so expect a date around 13 or 20 May 2028.
Where can I watch Eurovision 2027 in the UK?
The BBC broadcasts all three shows, with the Grand Final on BBC One and BBC iPlayer and the semi finals on BBC One or BBC Two. Coverage usually starts at 8pm UK time on the Saturday.
Why does Australia take part in Eurovision?
Australia’s broadcaster SBS has shown the contest since 1983 and was invited to compete in 2015 for the 60th anniversary. Its participation has been extended since, though it remains an associate member of the EBU.
Published 28 August 2026: dates checked for 2026 to 2028.
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