Rakovski (Bulgarian: Раковски [rɐˈkɔfski]) is a town in southern Bulgaria, in the historical region of Thrace.

The town is located in the western part of the Upper Thracian Lowland, at 25 km to the northeast of Bulgaria's second largest city Plovdiv, and has an area of 5,50 km2.

Rakovski is located in a transitional continental climatic zone south of Stara Planina.

The area was settled by Paulicians in the Middle Ages, who served as frontier guards and heavily armed infantry in the battles between the Byzantine Empire and Bulgaria between the 9th and the 14th century.

Most of them fled to Nikopol on the Danube, the Second Bulgarian Empire's last stronghold, after fierce fights with the Ottomans in the end of the 14th century.

The different confession did not, however, affect the local residents' patriotic feelings, as many took part in the Bulgarian National Revival.

Information about the three villages (now neighborhoods) that formed the town of Rakovski in 1966 can be found in several Ottoman tax registers.

A nunnery and a monastery are located in the town, the former being a Franciscan one dedicated to the Sacred Heart and the latter to Polish martyr Maximilian Kolbe.

The teams of many European countries have participated in this tournament so far, for example Poland, Croatia, Italy (AC Milan), Spain, England, Malta, Germany, Romania, Turkey (Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe).

The mild climate and the fertile soil are the main reasons for growing wheat, sunflower, maize, different vegetables, and fruits.

In operation since July 2004, the zone attracts investors with competitive incentives for doing business and opportunities for immediate start of production.