Eurovision fans will have to wait a few more weeks for ORF to confirm the Eurovision 2015 host city and venue. As ORF pours over the three main candidates, a series of alternative venues have come into play as back-up options. Today we can scratch one of them off the list, as the city has axed a proposed plan to build a brand new, multi-functional concert hall in Neu Marx. Auf wiedersehn!

According to oe24.at, the cost and timescale made it unrealistic. Construction would not be complete until May 2016—a full year after Eurovision.

The plan was rooted in good intentions. Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna’s preferred option, is already booked during the six weeks leading up to the final. Cancelling that event would require them to pay off a lot of people. Hoping to strengthen the city’s bid for Eurovision 2015, Vienna’s mayor Michael Häupl proposed building a huge tent where 15,000 spectators could gather for Eurovision. It would rest alongside the Rinderhalle, a smaller venue that already exists and has excellent transport links. After Eurovision, the multi-purpose hall could host all sorts of events. Its construction would coincide with an election year, which never hurts.

neu marx t-center vienna austria 2015

With this option now out of the question, Vienna‘s chances of hosting seem to be dwindling by the minute. Innsbruck has strong municipal support and deep pockets fed by all those visiting ski bunnies.

Do you think Graz will sneak in with a surprise win? We’ll know in two or three weeks!

Photo: TZ ÖSTERREICH/Bruna, OpenBuildings

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Vladimir
Vladimir
9 years ago

I think it would be cool if it some other city could host Eurovision. In most cases, Eurovision is in a host country’s capital, but I think some other cities, especially smaller ones, should be given a choice to host it and get themselves promoted. I don'[t think many people would not normally hear anything about Harrogate, Bergen or Millstreet without Eurovision. Innsbruck or Graz sound cool.

Deven O'Kearney
Deven O'Kearney
9 years ago

DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The 1st Semi Final is on the 19th of May. So is my Transition Year graduation . 🙁 🙁 (How do you make angry faces on a keyboard?)

That means I won’t be able to travel to Innsbruck for the Eurovision Song Contest 2015. PHOOEY. However, I could fly out the next morning on Ryanair from Dublin to Salzburg and then get the train from Salzburg to Innsbruck.

Peter Raab
Peter Raab
9 years ago

With Düsseldorf in 2011 (which at the time was my home city btw) they moved many scheduled Bundesliga matches so that Düsseldorf could host Eurovision. I don’t see how some small scale concerts can’t do the same or postpone them. I don’t want Innsbruck. The arena is small. I don’t want Graz. I’ve been there and it would be a bit like Malmö (only used for arena and not the out of arena entertainment side considered, not because of anti Semitic attacks). Wien Stadthalle is therefore the best option, as it’s a great arena and Vienna is a really vibrant… Read more »

Dar
Dar
9 years ago

If it’s not Vienna I won’t be going … To much hassle getting to the other cities and there will be less accommodation which will be more expensive ..
Going to be disappointed ..

David
David
9 years ago

Goodbye Vienna

Deven O'Kearney
Deven O'Kearney
9 years ago

Innsbruck 2015 it is.

davve
davve
9 years ago

i think innsbruck would be an good choice as well.

Darren
Darren
9 years ago

I may have to start believing in a god so that I can pray for Vienna being chosen 😛

peris
peris
9 years ago

eurovision 2015 Innsbruck