Bulgaria’s Golden Year: The Best of 2026 So Far
Браво, България! The best of 2026 so far
A Eurovision crown, gymnastics gold on home soil and a medal haul from the world’s toughest school olympiads. Here is the good news from Bulgaria this year, with a few things to play with along the way.
DARA wins Eurovision with “Bangaranga”
Bulgaria finally did it. Singer DARA took the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna with 516 points, the country’s first win ever, and only one year after returning to the contest following a four-year break.
She also collected the Marcel Bezençon Artistic Award, voted by the commentators. Back home, thousands filled Alexander I Battenberg Square in Sofia to celebrate, turning the city centre into one big “Bangaranga” party. Varna has since named her an honorary citizen.
The world comes to Burgas in May 2027
The win means Bulgaria hosts Eurovision for the first time. Organisers picked the Black Sea city of Burgas over Sofia, with shows at Arena Burgas on 11, 13 and 15 May 2027.
Four cities bid: Sofia, Burgas, Plovdiv and Varna. The broadcaster BNT says the plan is to show off the whole country, its cities, music, nature and people, to millions of viewers, so Burgas is the host city while Bulgaria is the host country.
Team gold for the “golden girls” in Varna
At the European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Varna, Bulgaria won the team title in front of a home crowd, and Stiliyana Nikolova took silver in the individual all-around.
Nikolova qualified for all four apparatus finals, and Boryana Brezalieva reached three. Rhythmic gymnastics is one of the sports Bulgaria is known for worldwide, and this was a big summer for it.
20 medals from the world’s toughest olympiads
Bulgarian students brought home 20 medals from this year’s international olympiads in mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology: 2 gold, 9 silver and 9 bronze.
The country has a long tradition in maths and science competitions, and it is not alone in looking after young talent: Bulgarian students living abroad showed nearly 250 works at the “Talents Without Borders” exhibition in Sofia this summer.
“Iron Angel” Rusev lifts a sixth European title
Weightlifter Angel Rusev won his sixth European championship in Batumi, which puts him among the most successful European lifters in history.
There were more podiums too: Bulgaria’s under-18 women’s volleyball team won the Balkan Championship in Tirana, and the country’s athletes with Down syndrome were honoured by the president for their medals at their world championship.
Fresh investment and a busy high street
The European Commission paid Bulgaria €896 million from its Recovery and Resilience Facility in July, and the EBRD is backing new renewable energy and storage. Shoppers are spending too: Bulgaria had the EU’s third-highest yearly rise in retail trade in June.
Industry is growing as well. Liebherr announced a new production base in the country, and Danish retailer JYSK is expanding its logistics hub. The EBRD expects the economy to grow by about 2.7% this year.
Varna Summer Festival turns 100
One of Europe’s oldest music festivals celebrated its 100th anniversary this year. The national news agency BTA also launched a “Festive Bulgaria” section to promote festivals and cultural events across the country.
Folk traditions are thriving too. Veliko Tarnovo hosted the World Folklore Cup in May, with dance and music groups from Bulgaria and abroad competing for the “Golden Orpheus”.
Eurovision Grand Final, Burgas
15 May 2027, Arena Burgas. Time left until the world tunes in to Bulgaria:
How well did you follow Bulgaria’s year?
2026 at a glance
- Angel Rusev wins his sixth European weightlifting title.
- DARA wins Eurovision; Veliko Tarnovo hosts the World Folklore Cup.
- Team gold at the European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Varna.
- 20 science olympiad medals; €896 million arrives from the EU recovery fund.
- Burgas named host city of Eurovision 2027.
- Varna Summer Festival celebrates its centenary.
