Bulgaria's Final Step to Eurovision 2026

On February 28, 2026, Bulgaria will take the final step in selecting its entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna, Austria. After a three-year absence from Europe's most beloved music competition, Bulgaria is making a triumphant return with a carefully curated selection process designed to find the perfect song to represent the nation on the Eurovision stage.

The Song Selection Show marks the culmination of Natsionalnata Selektsiya 2026, Bulgaria's three-stage national final organized by Bulgarian National Television (BNT). This final show will determine which of three specially composed songs will carry Bulgaria's hopes to Vienna in May 2026.

Meet Dara: Bulgaria's Chosen Artist

Dara emerged victorious from an intense artist selection process that captivated Bulgarian audiences throughout January 2026. The talented singer won both the jury vote and the public vote on January 31, 2026, after performing her powerful track "Thunder" in the second artist selection show.

Dara's journey to becoming Bulgaria's representative began on January 24, 2026, when she competed against fourteen other talented artists in the first selection show. Each performer showcased one of their previously released songs, with a combination of five-member jury voting and online public voting determining who would advance. The competition was fierce, featuring established names like Dara Ekimova, Mihaela Marinova, Mihaela Fileva, and rising stars such as Preyah, Innerglow, and Kerana & the Cosmonauts.

After advancing through the first round, Dara delivered another stunning performance in the second show, securing her place as Bulgaria's Eurovision 2026 artist with overwhelming support from both the professional jury and the Bulgarian public. Now, she faces the exciting challenge of choosing the perfect song to take to Vienna.

Three Songs, One Choice

Unlike the artist selection rounds where performers sang their own existing material, the Song Selection Show features three brand-new compositions specifically created for Eurovision 2026. These songs have been crafted by professional songwriting teams commissioned by BNT, ensuring that Bulgaria's entry will be a polished, competition-ready track designed to make an impact on the Eurovision stage.

The voting system for the song selection combines the expertise of a ten-member jury panel with the passion of the Bulgarian public in a 50/50 split. Each jury member will award points (3, 2, and 1) to their favorite songs, while viewers at home will have the opportunity to vote for their preferred track through online voting. The song with the highest combined score will become Bulgaria's official Eurovision 2026 entry, with the televote acting as a tiebreaker if necessary.

The jury panel brings together a diverse mix of music industry professionals, including renowned Bulgarian artists, producers, and Eurovision experts who understand what it takes to succeed at the contest. Their combined experience will help ensure that Bulgaria selects a song with genuine Eurovision potential.

BNT Studio 1: The Heart of Bulgarian Television

The Song Selection Show will take place at BNT Studio 1 in Sofia, the flagship production facility of Bulgarian National Television. Located at the broadcaster's headquarters on San Stefano Street, BNT Studio 1 has been the birthplace of countless iconic Bulgarian television moments since BNT began broadcasting in 1959.

As Bulgaria's premier television studio, BNT Studio 1 provides state-of-the-art production capabilities that will showcase Dara's three performances in the best possible light. The intimate studio setting creates an atmosphere where vocal performance and emotional connection take center stage, allowing viewers to focus on the songs themselves and imagine how they might translate to the grand Eurovision stage in Vienna.

The studio has hosted numerous significant events in Bulgarian broadcasting history, making it a fitting venue for this important moment in Bulgaria's Eurovision journey. Its technical capabilities ensure that the show will be broadcast with the highest production values, giving both the live audience and viewers at home an unforgettable experience.

Hosting and Broadcast Details

The Song Selection Show will be hosted by Georgi Lyubenov and Boryana Gramatikova, two of Bulgaria's most beloved television personalities. Their chemistry and experience will guide viewers through the evening's proceedings, building anticipation as each of the three songs is revealed. Vladimira Ilieva will serve as the backstage host, providing behind-the-scenes insights and capturing Dara's reactions throughout the night.

Bulgarian viewers can watch the show live on BNT 1, the country's flagship public television channel, starting at 9:00 PM local time. For those who prefer to stream online or are watching from abroad, the show will be broadcast live on eurovision2026.bg, BNT's dedicated Eurovision platform. International viewers should note that streaming access may be restricted in some countries due to broadcasting rights.

Bulgaria's Eurovision Legacy

Bulgaria's return to Eurovision in 2026 is particularly meaningful given the country's impressive track record at the contest. Since making its Eurovision debut in 2005, Bulgaria has participated 14 times and achieved remarkable success, despite never claiming the top prize.

Bulgaria's best-ever result came in 2017 when Kristian Kostov finished as runner-up with his emotional ballad "Beautiful Mess," earning an impressive 615 points. Kostov, who was the first Eurovision participant born in the 2000s, also holds the record for the highest-ever score in a semi-final, placing first with 403 points. His near-victory remains one of the most memorable moments in Bulgarian Eurovision history.

Another standout performance came in 2016 when Poli Genova represented Bulgaria with "If Love Was a Crime," finishing fourth in the final with 307 points. Genova had previously competed for Bulgaria in 2011 with "Na Inat," though she did not advance to the final that year. Her 2016 success demonstrated Bulgaria's ability to deliver contemporary, radio-friendly pop that resonates with Eurovision audiences across Europe.

After withdrawing from the contest in 2023, 2024, and 2025, Bulgaria's return in 2026 has been eagerly anticipated by Eurovision fans. The country's track record of strong vocals, emotional performances, and modern production values suggests that Dara will be well-positioned to continue Bulgaria's tradition of excellence at the contest.

The Road to Vienna

Once Bulgaria's song is selected on February 28, Dara will have just over two months to prepare for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna, Austria. The contest will take place across three shows: the first semi-final on May 12, the second semi-final on May 14, and the grand final on May 16, 2026.

Bulgaria will compete in one of the two semi-finals, where the country will need to finish in the top ten to qualify for the grand final. Based on Bulgaria's strong Eurovision history and the careful selection process being employed for the 2026 entry, fans are optimistic that the country will successfully navigate the semi-final and return to the grand final stage.

The selection of the right song on February 28 will be crucial to Bulgaria's chances. Eurovision success requires a perfect combination of strong vocals, memorable melody, effective staging, and emotional connection with viewers across Europe. With Dara's proven talent and three professionally crafted songs to choose from, Bulgaria has positioned itself well for a successful comeback.

Join the Selection

Bulgarian music fans and Eurovision enthusiasts are encouraged to tune in to the Song Selection Show on February 28, 2026, to be part of this historic moment. Your vote will help determine which song represents Bulgaria at Eurovision 2026, making you an integral part of the country's Eurovision journey.

Whether you're watching on BNT 1 or streaming online via eurovision2026.bg, the Song Selection Show promises to be an evening of outstanding musical performances and genuine emotion as Bulgaria takes its final step toward Vienna. Don't miss the opportunity to witness the birth of Bulgaria's Eurovision 2026 entry and support Dara as she prepares to carry the nation's hopes to the Eurovision stage.

Mark your calendars for February 28, 2026, and be ready to vote for your favorite song. Bulgaria's Eurovision comeback begins here!

Special Guests

The February 28 Song Selection Show will feature an exciting lineup of special guest performers alongside Dara's three song presentations:

Deep Zone Project – The legendary Bulgarian electronic music duo, known for their high-energy DJ sets and one of the most recognisable acts in Bulgarian popular music.
Bon-Bon – Iconic Bulgarian pop-folk star and a staple of Bulgarian music culture for decades.
Eva Marija – Luxembourg's official representative at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna, bringing an international Eurovision dimension to the Bulgarian selection show.
Senhit – The Eritrean-Swedish Eurovision star who represented San Marino at Eurovision 2021 with the smash hit "Adrenalina" (in collaboration with Flo Rida), finishing 22nd. One of the most charismatic performers in recent Eurovision history.

The presence of Eva Marija — an active 2026 Eurovision participant — and Senhit, a beloved Eurovision alumna, underlines Bulgaria's commitment to positioning its return as a serious, internationally connected Eurovision comeback. For the latest information, follow the official BNT website and eurovision2026.bg.

Final Results

This event concluded on 28 February 2026. The winning song was selected from three candidate songs performed by Dara, through a combined vote of 50% public televoting and 50% professional jury (10 members). Congratulations!

🏆 Winner: Bulgaria's Eurovision 2026 Entry

Dara – "Bangaranga"

Described as a rhythmic dark-pop dance anthem symbolising the discovery of inner strength, "Bangaranga" emerged as the public and jury favourite from Dara's three candidate songs on the night.

The Three Candidate Songs

"This Is Me"
"Curse"
"Bangaranga" 🏆 — Selected as Bulgaria's Eurovision 2026 entry

For full official coverage, visit the official BNT website.

What's Next for Bulgaria?

Dara will represent Bulgaria at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 – Semi-Final 2 on 14 May 2026 in Vienna. Visit the Events Calendar for all upcoming Eurovision 2026 events.