Bulgaria is back for Eurovision 2026 – and no one saw it coming, including Bulgaria

After three years of radio silence, Bulgaria has officially confirmed its return to the Eurovision Song Contest. The country will rejoin the competition in Vienna, where the 70th edition promises more political subtext than confetti.

The announcement, delivered by BNT’s Director General Emil Košlukov, framed the comeback as a cultural mission: “Eurovision is a place where stories are shared and cultures meet.” Which is, of course, a beautifully diplomatic way of saying: “We’ve found the budget, don’t ask how.”

The comeback strategy: say everything, decide nothing

No national final has been announced, no artist hinted, no song teased. The broadcaster has promised “details in the coming months”, which in Balkan Eurovision timing can mean anything from next week to one day before the submission deadline.

The invisible context everyone sees

Officially, this is a triumphant cultural return. Unofficially, Bulgaria’s public broadcaster has been dealing with shrinking budgets, cancelled sports rights and a programming schedule that increasingly resembles a “best of reruns” marathon.
Eurovision, in that light, becomes less a musical dream… and more a cost-effective PR reboot.

The real question: will they actually show up?

Bulgaria has mastered a unique Eurovision rhythm: enter with ambition, reach the Top 5, go bankrupt, disappear, reappear dramatically, repeat.
Fans are thrilled – but also cautiously checking the refund policy on their hotel bookings.

If they make it to Vienna, fantastic – the contest is always better with Balkan drama.
If they withdraw at the last minute, equally on brand.

Eurovision loves a comeback arc. Bulgaria loves a cliffhanger.

Source: BNT