Until 2027 everything has already been decided, as already announced several times by EcocNews: For 2024 we will have Bodo (Norway), Tartu (Estonia) and Bad Ischl (Austria), for 2025 Nova Gorica (Slovenia) and Chemnitz (Germany), for 2026 Oulu (Finland) and Trencin (Slovakia), for 2027 Liepaja (Latvia) and Evora (Portugal).
For 2028 the picture is not yet defined. At the moment, the only certain European capital of culture is Budweis (Czech Republic). For France, the shortlist has been defined and four cities are in the running: Rouen, Bourges, Clermont-Ferrand, Montpellier.
The European Commission's evaluation panel will have to choose between these four cities. the announcement of the choice is scheduled for 13 December 2023.

Two cities short-listed to become European Capital of Culture 2028 in a candidate country
Budva and Skopje have been shortlisted in the competition for the title of European Capital of Culture 2028 in an EFTA/EEA country, candidate country or potential candidate.

A panel of 10 independent experts recommended the shortlist following a one-day digital meeting.

The Commission invited applications from interested cities in December 2021. Budva (Montenegro) and Skopje (North Macedonia) submitted applications by the deadline of 11 November 2022.

Attached to this news item are the calls.

Being shortlisted for the title can result in significant cultural, economic and social benefits for the cities concerned, providing that their bid is part of a longer-term culture-led development strategy.

The cities have until the summer 2023 to complete their applications. The panel will meet in 20 September 2023 to recommend one city to become, in 2028, the third European Capital of Culture in an EFTA/EEA country, candidate country or potential country, after Novi Sad (Serbia) in 2022 and Bodo (Norway) in 2024.