After months of speculation, weeks of bidding, one nationally-broadcast presentation showa delayed decision processa cancelled announcement and a few mud-slinging sessions between politiciansKyiv has been named Eurovision 2017 host city.

Ukraine’s state broadcaster NTU, in conjunction with the EBU, made the announcement today. Though fans were kept waiting after the live stream was delayed due to technical difficulties.

All of the shows will take place in the International Exhibition Centre, where officials had previously drawn up plans for a 10,000-capacity arena, which includes 5,000 seated places. However, at the announcement today, it was revealed that the centre would have a capacity of 12,000 to 14,000.

The Organising Committee decided that Ukraine’s capital offers the best overall package, when accounting for transportation links, accommodation and tourist infrastructure.

And it was a near unanimous decision. According to a tweet from Rozenko Pavlo, the vice prime minister of Ukraine, the vote was won by 19 votes to two, with one person abstaining.

Let's do this! #Eurovision #eurovision2017 #eurovisionukraine

A post shared by wiwibloggs (@wiwibloggs) on

“In the course of the selection we were deeply impressed with the efforts made by the bidding cities, the professionalism of their teams and the serious approach to their participation in the bid,” NTU Deputy Director General Victoria Romanova said in a statement sent to wiwibloggs.

“The process has demonstrated an unprecedented interest in the Eurovision Song Contest in Ukraine. We look forward to maintaining that momentum, with thanks and congratulations to Kyiv — the host city of the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest.”

Speaking to the media before the announcement, the Minister of Culture said there had been a “boxing battle” between frontrunners Odessa and Kyiv, and that regardless of which was chosen, “both the cities will cause us regret.”

He also noted that the international interest in Lviv had made them decide to look at building a suitable venue for future large events. “It gives us an opportunity … to focus on finding investors to build a proper, interesting arena in Lviv for different concerts.”

He added that while Dnipro was a peaceful city and ready to host Eurovision, its proximity to areas of political tension was problematic for a host city.

Kyiv had wanted to renovate the Palace of Sport, which hosted Eurovision 2005 and Junior Eurovision 2009, but opted for the much larger exhibition centre instead.

They will merge two of its exhibition halls into a single venue, as you can see below.

Earlier this month, in an interview Hromadske, the head of Kyiv’s Department of Tourism Anton Taranenko said that the IEC is the only venue that meets the EBU’s technical requirements to host the event.

Giving reporters a tour of the venue, Anton added that it was the only venue still in the running that didn’t require the (expensive and time-consuming) construction of a roof.

Besides traditional bus and taxi routes, city officials will make water taxis available to transport passengers between the venue and central Kyiv. The Minister of Culture was quick to add that there will be security forces patrolling the Dnieper River at all times.

The First Semi-Final will take place on May 9, the Second Semi-Final will take place on May 11 and the Grand Final will play out in all its glory on May 13.

Are you excited about the decision to stage Eurovision in the country’s capital?

READ MORE UKRAINE EUROVISION NEWS

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vvision
vvision
7 years ago

I really hope NTU can hire 2014 stage designer Claus Zier and lighting designer Kasper Lange .

Mil
Mil
7 years ago

You guys too sceptical and hateful. Let me remind you that the Last Eurovision in Kyiv was very well organised – ask Deban. Yes, hosts were boring and I’m waiting for some improvement regarding this.
Venue is rather close to center, its just 4 metro stops from Khreshchatyk, the main street. And it is not a “wideland” at all – there are shopping centers and restaurants around, plus the view of the right bank from IEC is stunning.

James
James
7 years ago

@Danny. Like I said it’s not so much the time..( Germany in October wasn’t a big deal). But the dates of the contest weren’t even finalized properly until now…they were only provisional. if I wanted to take a full trip out there from another country for that length of time…yes I would need to be letting my work know the dates now….in fact now would probably already be too late .For some people it’s a bigger trip than others. Many people book vacations 8 months to a year in advance because they have to book it with work etc. Also… Read more »

Danny
Danny
7 years ago

@James you don’t really have to plan this trip a year ahead. There are 8 MONTHS till May 2017, I guess it’s plenty of time for anyone to plan the trip (unless someone here is running a country or a multi million company). It doesn’t justify this whole anger and hate. People feel like they are a part of the organization? Well, actually they are not. So people have to chill the fu^k out.

Laburnum
Laburnum
7 years ago

Sooo, this whole thing really was for nothing.

Amor Amankwah
Amor Amankwah
7 years ago

I’m really disappointed. I was hoping for Odessa. Ukraine should be showing off its other major cities.

kalenoz
kalenoz
7 years ago

I hate the dates, now i cannot go and the viewers will fall besause of the football

Rock Me
Rock Me
7 years ago

Wow, after all this drama we get the most obvious/boring venue.

James
James
7 years ago

@Danny, People are frustrated because they want to make plans to go there , to book accommodation etc, for people who actually attend whether as press or fans, it’s a big part of their lives, everyone has an interest to be passionate about., and for many people it is Eurovision. People are entitled to get frustrated if things go wrong, not only could they not book anything all summer, but it leaves a sour taste as to whether the event will be just as chaotic in its organization. Yes, I know Dusseldorf wasn’t until October, but Germany did not have… Read more »

Denis
Denis
7 years ago

Well, I don’t think any other Ukrainian city had the capability to host such an event so it it was quite obvious Kyiv would host. So all the delays and postponements for nothing…

Good choice though! Haven’t been to Kyiv but I’ve heard and seen it looks beautiful. Can’t wait to May!

mocosuburbian
mocosuburbian
7 years ago

lol boring

MTD
MTD
7 years ago

@Danny – spot on. 😛

jamaladingdong
jamaladingdong
7 years ago

Apparently, this felt like a disappointing s** for many fans. If Kiev can pull out a Denmark who improvised their ship hall venue which turned out beautiful inside, I can be okay with it. Hopefully, people in Ukraine are willing to do something like that, too?

Avstrya
Avstrya
7 years ago

Much ado about an obvious choice. Lots of Time wasted.

Danny
Danny
7 years ago

I don’t get why people are SO mad about the whole thing? Do you work for the organizers? Do you worry about the deadlines of the production? Don’t you have anything else to worry about rather than the organisation of the Eurovision which has nothing to do with your every day life? GET A LIFE, and leave the worries to the people who actually have to organize this thing.

Chicken Kyiv
Chicken Kyiv
7 years ago

As others are saying, taking almost 4 months, to announce Kiev, is worrying. Interesting they announce it on the 9th September. The first semi final is only 8 months away. It took 1/3 of the time just to pick the host.

Good luck to Kiev and to Ukraine, I feel you may need it, but I hope you succeed.

Chicken Kiev
Chicken Kiev
7 years ago

So Kiev has won and won heavily. I’m sad for Odessa but then I’m ecstatic it’s not Dnipro.

Kiev was the logical choice of the head, Odessa was the choice of the heart.

olvresc
olvresc
7 years ago

All this waiting to host it in Kyiv…

Zebb
Zebb
7 years ago

@Darren, your first part is same I think about this all.

Sadly it’s IEC. Might be good technicaly, but left bank is like a wasteland. And sadly it’s not Odessa, which I’d like to visit while moving then to Romen. Ironically Odessa citizens should say also thanks to their city haters with that video. Worst thing to make that type of protests 🙂

Disgusted Eurovision Fan
Disgusted Eurovision Fan
7 years ago

So much drama for nothing?!

F*** you Ukraine, you could have said it was gonna be Kiev on May.

Tony
7 years ago

Not a surprise. I really wanted Odessa for the spectacular placement on the Black Sea. Still, this is suuuuper unprofessional on the part of the broadcaster. Not to mention inefficient. If this is how they do the bidding process, I am terrified to see how/who they pick to actually host the program in May!

heyhey
heyhey
7 years ago

I REALLY WANTED ODESSA
ANYWAY CHECK OUT THIS TOP OF UNDERRATED SONGS IF YOU WANT
https://youtu.be/7ICzLX9N27k

George
George
7 years ago

I was since the beginning in favour of Kyiv to be the host city, since it had the only available and suitable venue to host the event. Let’s hope we will have a nice contest this year just like the 2016 one, although right now Ukraine seems to be an unsuitable host!

George
George
7 years ago

I was since the beginning in favour of Kyiv to be th host city, since it had the only available and suitable venue to host the event. Let’s hope we will have a nice contest this year just like the 2016 one, although right now Ukraine seems to be an unsuitable host!

Polegend Godgarina
7 years ago

I mean, it was virtually the only city capable of hosting. All this mess wasn’t needed.

beccaboo1212
7 years ago

YAY!!!! 😀

DS
DS
7 years ago

The venue is on the left bank of Dnipro river so expect some crazy logistics issues and tons of traffic jams.

Atte
Atte
7 years ago

so the dates might be 9/11/13.5 but there is going to be Football games in same times at Kiev. Maybe the contest is 2/4/6.5

last week of may is too late and 18.5 is memorial day so that week NO NO NO

Vladimir P.
Vladimir P.
7 years ago

Damn:-(

Mark
Mark
7 years ago

Kyiv, yawn!

esc 2016
esc 2016
7 years ago

yeahhh!!

Adam
Adam
7 years ago

All this for Kyiv? Yaaaaawwwwnnnnn. They were the most obvious choice from the beginning, why wait 2 months and falsely raise the hopes of other cities?

Atte
Atte
7 years ago

When? 9/11/13.5

Jocelyn
7 years ago

So much hype for…Kyiv. Wouldn’t be surprised if the actual show is just as bad as the bidding process ????????

Jerome
Jerome
7 years ago

I feel nothing. After so many postponed announcements creating such hype around who will host, I feel nothing. Kiev, Dnipro (?) or Odessa. Really a 33% chance game that was dragged out oh so unnecessarily.
I.e. I would have felt the same had they actually made the announcement at the beginning of August.
Now, if they’d pull a twist on us and said, “Nope, we cannot host”, that would have been interesting!
Oh well, I guess it’s #Kiev2017

tarKris
tarKris
7 years ago

Next time people will cancel twice even before considering voting for Ukraine….. By then the voting lines will be closed????

(J)ESC Fanatic
(J)ESC Fanatic
7 years ago

Great! 😀

Darren
Darren
7 years ago

About time, but I do think the bidding process was a complete waste. Just an attempt at being democratic, which just blew up in everyone’s face. Kyiv could have been picked the night that they won in Stockholm. But anyway, now that the farce of a bidding process is done, the proper planning and organisation can take place. Kyiv was the best choice anyway. The visitor experience in Kyiv will be greater than Odesa, plus it’s better connected to the rest of the world. I’m just glad this soap opera bidding phase is done. Looking forward to what Kyiv can… Read more »

Loo
Loo
7 years ago

All these bids, drama and money for nothing, haha! They could have announced this on May 15 already.

Ariso Light
Ariso Light
7 years ago

This bidding was pointless then! It should have been Odessa! -_-

Isaac Muscat
Isaac Muscat
7 years ago

Yaasssss!!!!!!! It’s not Dnipro!!!! For me both Kyiv or Odessa will do but I was slightly more with Kyiv as it would be a good choice as it has better infrastructure etc. I was actually quite surprised that Kyiv won by quite a landslide. But at least after months and cancellations of announcements, we finally know.

tarKris
tarKris
7 years ago

So much drama for nothing….feel cheated

Vlad
Vlad
7 years ago

I’m ready to massive outrage 🙂 Fans for sure will hate this decision but Kyiv is the only right choice today.

Loo
Loo
7 years ago

Politics, yet again politics.

Pedro
Pedro
7 years ago

Worst edicition is coming! Really bad work so far Ukraine