Bulgaria's National Palace of Culture in Eurovision host bid

Sofia is preparing for a large‑scale transformation if it secures the right to host the Eurovision Song Contest, the world’s biggest music festival. International experts have inspected the National Palace of Culture (NDK) and its surroundings, evaluating its potential to become a dedicated "Euro‑venue" capable of accommodating thousands of fans and performers.

Bulgaria’s bid faces competition from Burgas, while Plovdiv and Varna have been eliminated for not meeting technical and infrastructure criteria. The Ministry of Culture has earmarked €20 million for the event, and the final decision will rest with an international commission composed of representatives from BNT, the European Broadcasting Union and seasoned contest specialists. Despite calls to exclude Israel because of the ongoing war, the country will retain its place in the competition.