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Kyiv to host Eurovision 2017!

09 September 2016 at 14:22 CEST
Kyiv UA:PBC
The European Broadcasting Union and the National Television Company of Ukraine (NTU) has revealed that the city chosen to host the 62nd Eurovision Song Contest in 2017 will be Kyiv! The city fought off strong competition from Odesa and Dnipro to host the Eurovision Song Contest following Jamala’s win in Sweden this year with her song 1944.

Kyiv, located in the north-central part of Ukraine on the Dnieper River, is a modern city with everything visiting fans will need. From hotels and easy transport links to beautiful architecture, green spaces, nightlife and a rich history, the city has shown itself to be a worthy host. 

Jon Ola Sand, the EBU’s Executive Supervisor for the Eurovision Song Contest commented:

"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".

Deputy Director General of NTU, Victoria Romanova 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."

Jon Ola Sand congratulated Kyiv following the announcement:

The venue

The city plans to host the 2017 contest at the International Exhibition Centre, the largest venue of its kind in Ukraine with capacity for 11,000 spectators. The Ukrainian capital previously hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in 2005 as well as the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2009 and 2013. 

The dates

The live shows will take place on Tuesday 9th May (First Semi-Final), Thursday 11th May (Second Semi-Final), with the Grand Final on Saturday 13th May.

Background to the Host City Battle

The decision was made after six candidate cities originally presented their bids to the Organising Committee of the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest, televised live in Ukraine. At that stage Kharkiv, Kherson and Lviv stood down, allowing Kyiv, Dnipro and Odesa to continue onto the next stage. The committee and representatives from the EBU then reviewed and inspected the final city hopefuls and have now declared Kyiv will stage the contest in 2017.

The current host city bidding format was first introduced in 2011 when Germany staged the Eurovision Song Contest. Since then several countries have followed the model to select a host city. You can read more about the process here.

Kyiv in pictures 

Buying tickets for Eurovision 2017

Tickets for the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest are not expected to go on sale before the end of 2016. Further announcements are expected in the autumn. It is strongly recommended that tickets are purchased through official channels only.

Who's in?

EBU Member Broadcasters, on behalf of their countries, have until mid-September to formally submit their applications to take part in next year's competition. The final list of participating countries will be released close to the end of the year. The Semi-Final Allocation Draw, to determine which countries take part in which of the two Semi-Finals, takes place in late January.

Kyiv last hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in 2005 as well as Junior Eurovision in 2009 and 2013.