Dara's victory at Eurovision 2026 earned Bulgaria the right to host the contest next year. Already, a year before the event, the Bangarang effect (the so-called song of Dara) has hit the short-term rental market in Sofia: prices for overnight stays in May 2027 soared from 100 to 3,000 euros, and in some cases even higher.
On social media, they are discussing an excellent apartment on Slaveykov Square (80 sq. m.), where 6 nights on the expected dates of the competition cost 22,920 euros. Another owner asks for 96.39 euros for 6 nights in an apartment of 45 sq. m. m is in the center. For comparison: Outside of May, the same properties can be rented for about 300 euros.
The owners and managers operate on the principle of "one day feeds a year." There is evidence that booking schedules are being filled artificially, and the owners plan to set the real prices closer to the event.
Todor Kolev, who manages dozens of apartments in the capital, said that bookings for May 2027 are already 60% and 70% higher than usual. According to him, extremely high prices are a strategy: calendars are kept open only for highly profitable offers.
Experts warn that greed can have the opposite effect. In 2015, during the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv, the hosts raised the price of overnight accommodation 4-6 times, and tens of thousands of fans preferred to watch the contest on TV, but the expected tourist profit did not happen.
Hoteliers are still cautious and in no hurry to change tariffs - the official dates and the host city have not been finalized. However, experts advise businesses not to overdo it: there is a chance to make money, but tourists may lose due to inflated prices.
Source: Egltours
