Sorry Eurovision fans: You’re going to have to wait just a little longer to book your flights for Eurovision 2017.
In a press release issued this afternoon, Ukraine’s NTU has announced that the EBU will delay making its decision on the Eurovision 2017 host city. This comes following visits to Dnipro, Kyiv and Odesa on July 25 and 26 to inspect infrastructure and facilities.
“Based on the inspection results, a number of additional recommendations were given to each potential host city of the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 as well as the time to elaborate their bids,” the statement said.
Jon Ola Sand, the Supervisor from the European Broadcasting Union, emphasised the importance of patience and planning over a rushed decision.
“Altogether we will focus on finding the best solution. But we really want to take the time it takes to come up with the right decision. I am happy to be in the middle of the process together with the National Television Company of Ukraine, representatives of the Organization Committee and the partners.”
During the EBU visits, local officials in each city traveled with Jon Ola and his team to explore the various facilities and spaces required for Eurovision. They analyzed transport infrastructure and security concerns.
The NTU press release notes that inspections took place “in terminals of Dnipro and Odesa airports, four potential arenas for the Eurovision Song Contest, namely the Palace of Sports and the International Exhibition Centre in Kyiv, DniproEuroArena (Meteor Sports Complex) in Dnipro and Chornomorets Stadium in Odesa, locations for official events during the Eurovision Weeks (Euroclub, Eurovision Village, Opening Ceremony).”
Hotel capacity and financial investment were also discussed.
“Everyone involved in the Contest in Europe and Ukraine, namely the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the National Television Company of Ukraine as the Host Broadcaster, the Organization Committee consisting of almost all members of the Government and led by the Prime Minister of the country, we all would not like to rush but get more details instead. The final decision is postponed to consider everything. We put it off together with the EBU inspectors who were in Ukraine for two days, saw all the cities and locations, were satisfied and understood the delay as they would like to get the details as well.”
The European Broadcasting Union and NTU are now reviewing the revised proposals and a decision is forthcoming. However, it seems safe to assume that the August 1 reveal will be pushed back.
Both Odessa and Kiev would be great choice, in my opinion. Hopefully they will give us an answer on the first of August.
The more time they take to consider all the details the better.
@4li3n
I wish 🙂 Atlantic Hall Arena in Lisbon would be a great venue.
The host city is Lisbon
……………………………………… in 2018
The palace of sports arena revamp looks good, that just slides Kyiv into first place I think. As long as it is built in time, we don’t want to have an issue like the World Cup in Brazil when the arena in São Paulo was still being built when the opening ceremony was taking place. 🙂
Was the host city selection for ESC really this competitive before? It’s getting like the Olynpics. It’s exciting really. Hoping for Kyiv, but won’t mind Odessa just please not Dnipro 🙁
I support the fact that they take their time, but I think this news only shows that in fact none of the arenas/cities are fully ready/suitable (yet).
Thanks wiwi. Hm, seems like more issues raised up, in other case they shall be all satisfied by just picking Kyiv.