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Eurovision will not return to Parken in 2014

28 June 2013 at 13:44 CEST

In an article appearing on the website of 2014 host broadcaster, DR, it states that Parken in Copenhagen will not play host to the Eurovision Song Contest in May next year. The company behind Denmark's national stadium, Parken Sport & Entertainment is withdrawing its bid, it has confirmed.

Parken hosted Europe's favourite TV show back in 2001 and was one of the big favourites to take on this mammoth task again next year.

Parken states the reason for this decision is that the arena will need to be occupied for up to six weeks in order to stage the event and as such Parken cannot do the job.

In the interests of the football club F.C. København in particular, and the Danish national football team who plays its home fixtures at Parken, the company is therefore unable to stage the event, according to administrative director of Parken, Anders Hørsholt.

Busy match program

"Football is our highest priority and in particular F.C. København will have a busy match program next spring. Therefore we have made this decision even though we really appreciate that many saw us as a suitable venue for Eurovision 2014".

"We also felt that it was best to research these things in good time and that is what we have done now. Unfortunately the conclusion is that it is not prudent  for us to house the Eurovision Song Contest next year", says Anders Hørsholt.

Four venues still in the race

Previously we reported that the city of Fredericia in Jutland had also withdrawn its bid, which means that we are left with just three cities and four venues in the race. These are:

  • The Boxen Arena in Herning
  • Fængslet in Horsens
  • DR Byen in Copenhagen
  • B&W-Hallerne in Copenhagen

The Boxen Arena hosted the Danish national final, Dansk Melodi Grand Prix this year. You can read more about the remaining venues in our previous article.

DR have said they hope to make a decision on the venue by the end of the summer. Currently, the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest is set to take place on the 13th, 15th and 17th of May.