Denmark turned an old shipyard in Copenhagen into a Eurovision arena and it transformed its derelict surroundings into Eurovision Island. Now we know that they really splashed the cash: The budget for the contest was 34.6 million Danish kroner, but the final price tag for it all has come in at an unbelievable 112 million kroner. That’s about 15 million euros, y’all! It’s also three times over budget. 

B&W Hallerne before expensive make-over
B&W Hallerne before the expensive make-over

Copenhagen’s mayor Frank Jensen has already made it clear that the city won’t fill in the gap. “The city of Copenhagen is not responsible for the deficit,” Jensen wrote in a statement. “It is a matter for Region Hovedstaden – the Capital Region – and Wonderful Copenhagen, which is a private foundation that operates under Region Hovedstaden.”

Now Danish broadcaster DR and Wonderful Copenhagen, the private company that organised the event, must find a way to pay the remaining 58 million kroner. (Perhaps they should take a cue from Eurovision 2006 contestant Severina and launch a new line of ice cream?)

Lars Bernhard Jörgensen, CEO of Wonderful Copenhagen, said that the price tag exceeded everyone’s expectations. He blames the fact that the three main pillars of the halls were demolished to give the audience a better view. Conchita’s performance was amaze, so maybe it was worth it?

In 2013 Swedish broadcaster SVT had a budget of 12 million euros for Eurovision 2013 in Malmö. Back in 2012, while hosting Eurovision 2012, Baku built a brand new Baku Crystal Hall with cost between 120 to 140 million euros.

Photo Credit:  eurovision.tv (EBU)

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craigez
craigez
9 years ago

A bit tight that Copenhagen council won’t help out. They benefitted greatly from having the contest on their doorstep!! Not bridging the whole amount but contribute surely to ensure the contest could return and with a venue suitable, the costs will be much lower!!

LEAPerce
LEAPerce
9 years ago

Oh my god I didn’t know that B&W Hallerne was back to it’s original state?! That’s AWFUL. Why the hell did they choose that venue then?! I hate the EU, like most British people, if it’s their fault I hate them even more, EURGH.

ESCaddict
ESCaddict
9 years ago

Where is it stated the venue is returned to its original state? With all that Money spent, surely it remains a venue & will be part of the ESC legacy. If not, it would have been smarter to choose an existing venue & spend the money improving it.

Vladimir
Vladimir
9 years ago

These are the moments when even the most pro-EU countries become EU haters.

OM
OM
9 years ago

I still favor how Sweden organises Eurovision 2013. Just perfect. The spending, the production, the branding, you name it. Memorably good.

Hebbuzz
Hebbuzz
9 years ago

Trying something new in a old shipyard, is risky, so it failed financially. It didn;t harm the show though, which was fantastic.

Darren
Darren
9 years ago

I seriously hope that this debt doesn’t stop Denmark from sending quality songs to ESC for the next few years because they are afraid t win again.
Denmark is one of my favorite Eurovision countries.
And Eurovision 2014 in Copenhagen was a spectacular show, much better than Malmo 2013 (Sorry Sweden, still love you). It wasn’t going to beat Dusseldorf 2011 but its up there as one of my favorite shows.

Thiefo
9 years ago

I agree with David and Dar, it was great during the contest nights, but then what? All dismantled? All that money for nothing? At least the Baku Crystal Hall stays and can be used for other purposes, it was expensive but at least left a legacy, in the case of Copenhagen it ended up being just a very expensive three-night event and that’s it. Not a very clever move, Denmark.

Leon
Leon
9 years ago

Honestly, it was all worth it because Denmark hosted THE BEST eurovision ever, far better than the Russian one which was magnificent.

Dar
Dar
9 years ago

I would say it was worth it except that the halls were returned to their original state where as the should have been further finished so that it would serve as a great venue