Today the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the National Television Company of Ukraine (NTU) announced Kyiv as the host city of the Eurovision Song Contest 2017.
This is not the first time that the city has hosted the Eurovision Song Contest, back in 2005 after Ruslana’s win in Turkey, the city hosted the contest at the Palace of Sports. The city has also hosted the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2009 and 2013.
The International Exhibition Centre has been named as the venue of the 62nd Eurovision Song Contest. It is the largest venue of it’s kind in Ukraine with a capacity of 11,000 spectators.
Kyiv fought off strong competition from other cities Odesa and Dnipro.
The dates of the contest were also announced. The semi-finals will take place on 9 May 2017 and 11 May 2017, with the Grand Final taking place on 13 May 2017. However, these dates coincide with the second leg of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League Semi-Finals.
Jon Ola Sand, the EBU’s Executive Supervisor, said:
“After a thorough selection process, we are very pleased to be announcing today that NTU will be working with Kyiv as host city for the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest. We would like to congratulate NTU on their extensive and careful assessments of each bid. Kyiv presented an excellent case and we are looking forward to working together to create the most electrifying show yet next May”
Whilst Victoria Romanova, the Deputy Director General of NTU, said:
“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. 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.”
Congratulations #Kyiv for being chosen host city of @Eurovision 2017. Special thanks to the other finalists #Odesa, #Dnipro for their bids
— Jon Ola Sand (@jonolasand) September 9, 2016
Tickets should be available to buy towards the end of 2016, although no official statement has been released yet. It is strongly recommended that tickets are bought through official channels only.
To date, 28 countries have confirmed their participation, including the return of Portugal, after a one-year absence.
As you wait for more news on the Eurovision Song Contest 2017, relive the moments of the 2005 contest, when Kyiv hosted the contest.
Will you be buying tickets to the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 in Kyiv, Ukraine? Who do you want to represent your country in the song contest? Let us know everything on Twitter @CelebMix.