Eurovision unveils Burgas as 2027 host, with dates that clash with Israel’s Memorial Day

Eurovision organizers announce that next year’s competition will be held in Burgas, Bulgaria, on May 11, 13 and 15 — which is expected to prompt Israel to request to perform in the second semifinal.

The first semifinal of the annual song contest is slated to be held on the evening between Israel’s Memorial Day and Independence Day. Israel has in the past been granted such requests to avoid performing or rehearsing on Memorial Day — most recently in 2016 in Stockholm. The overlap is not uncommon since the competition is always held in May.

Burgas is a popular vacation destination for Israelis, and both Israir and Bluebird Airways operate direct flights to the city from Tel Aviv.

Yesterday, the European Broadcasting Union announced new rules ahead of next year’s contest which state that a country affected by “armed conflict” or a “sensitive geopolitical situation” will not be able to host the competition the following year even if it wins. The rules were widely seen as aimed directly at Israel, whose continued participation in the contest has been highly controversial, and who finished in second place both this year and last year.