In the recent days ORF, Austria’s national broadcaster, has narrowed the list of potential Eurovision 2015 host cities to three—Vienna, Graz and Innsbruck. Across the three cities there are six venues still in the race. Let’s review them and pick our favourites.
Vienna – Stadthalle Wiener
Wiener Stadthalle, the main arena in Vienna, has one fatal flaw: it is already booked out for six weeks prior to the event. That conflicts with ORF’s requirement that the arena be available during the month-and-a-half before the show, so that construction and other works can take place.
Vienna – Heldenplatz
Heldenplatz is a public space situated in front of the iconic Hofburg Palace. Adolf Hitler stood there when announcing that Nazi Germany had annexed Austria. Yuck. But staging Eurovision there would be a touching reminder of how far Europe has come. It would also be a powerful platform for Conchita Wurst & Co. to celebrate life, music and tolerance!
Vienna – Marx Hall
Marx Hall or Marx Halle, is part of an 1877 rebuilding project that took place in Vienna. It was also the first wrought-iron construction in Vienna, consiting of two three-aisled halls. Industrial and airy — c’est chic!
Vienna – Trabrennbahn Krieau
Trabrennbahn Krieau is a horse racing track in Vienna, which organisers propose turning into a concert venue for the Eurovision Song Contest 2015. Nothing says “glamorous music event” like hay and horse manure.
Graz – Stadthalle Graz
Stadthalle Graz is a concert hall in Graz, the second largest city in Austria. It holds up to 11, 300 people and was built between 2000 and 2002. The hall is practically free of columns, with just four basic ones in each corner of the hall. Fans who have had to watch Eurovision with an obstructed view will appreciate that. Word has it that officials in Graz are very keen to host Eurovision. Will their eagerness be enough to secure the bid?
Innsbruck – Olympiaworld
Olympiaworld is definitely a dark horse in the race to become the venue for Eurovision 2015. Recent reports even labeled the 10,000-seat stadium as the FRONTRUNNER to host. This promotional video will surely help…
So which venue do you want to see host Eurovision 2015? You can vote for as many venues as you would like, but you can only vote one time. Choose wisely, y’all…
[polldaddy poll=”8143369″]This poll will close on 13 July, 2014
Thanks to all, who voted in this poll! The winner is Sergej Cetkovic, with his song Moj Svijet! I close the poll now!
You know I am old enough to remember that Eurovision is a tv show. It’s not and was never meant to be the Olympics or the World Cup. Sure, you couple of thousand fans have a wonderful two weeks partying and waving flags and want it to be in Vienna so that you can fly in and find a hotel room. But the millions of people who watch at home are annoyed by the flags blocking the cameras, the screaming fans making it necessary for the presenters to shout. Innsbruck and a smaller but quality show sounds like an excellent… Read more »
OFF: Please vote in this poll! http://vote.pollcode.com/78242925
Sorry the “??????” were some praying hands haahhaah (:
OMG I’ve just realised that if it will be Innsbruck it will take me only 3 hours by car ????????
@Jacob: Stadthalle Wien is barely bigger than the Malmö and Kopenhagen locations.
Besides, the time for “big” Eurovisions is over. I think it’s smart and sensible to keep the audience size around 10,000 unless the EBU wants to end up in the same position as the Olympics, where no country can/is willing to afford hosting the event.
@jacob
I agree with everything you say!!
But I think Copenhagen was as big as Dusseldorf, I know it felt like it….maybe not 🙂
WIEN STADTHALLE!!!!!!! Make it a big Eurovision again like Helsinki 2007, Belgrad 2008, Moscow 2009, Oslo 2010, Düsseldorf 2011 and Baku 2012. Malmö 2013 and Copenhagen 2014 were disappointing size-wise. If this “small” trend of venues continues the 2016 venue will probably be something like 4,000 seats (even less than the tiny arena they are hosting Junior Eurovision in in my country)
GRAZ GRAZ GRAZ GRAZ GRAZ GRAZ GRAZ! And Arnold Schwarzeneggar can host in his hometown 😉
Innsbruck 2015 sounds good to be honest with you. At least it is not Linz 2015, do you remember the venue they wanted to put forward? If it is Innsbruck 2015: 1. What airlines fly from Dublin to Innsbruck or what is the closest airport if you are coming in from Ireland? 2. How far away is Salzburg from Innsbruck if there are no flights to Innsbruck because Ryanair (I will be on one this exact time next week) flies to Salzburg?(Michael O’Leary must like Mozart.) 3. Are there any good hotels in Innsbruck? 4. Can I go skiing before… Read more »
I agree with Zac, I like Graz for 2015. Something different to keep things interesting, just my opinion of course
Stadhalle is the obvious best choice. Vienna is the capital city and it will be convenient for fans to travel to Vienna than a smaller city. Also, Stadhalle is a popular hall for concerts therefore there won’t be any problems regarding sound and stuff like that.
Innsbruck and Olympia World is the second best choice, however 10k seats is a let down.
I like it when main cities of a country don’t host like Dusseldorf, so hopefully it’s Innsbruck or Graz.
Hi Easpag
My email is [email protected] .
i think personally that the EBU should strip austria of hosting after all the shyt that conchita has done since her victory.
Any venue in Vienna, as long as Vienna is the host! Please please please VIENNA! its only logical!
If I had to choose, it would be the Wiener Stadhalle.
Wiener Stadhalle is my preference, but to be fair Stadhalle Graz is pretty good too.
Will it ever be done in an open air venue?
If so, then Heldenplatz would be the definite choice. I’ve been there and it has the certain je ne sais quoi.
Back in the day I attended the dress rehearsal in Düsseldorf and I must say that the Olympiaworld Insbruck venue seems quite small in comparison.
INNSBRUCK IS SOOOO PRETTY
Stadthalle, puh-lease!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!