Moscow accepted as 2009 Host City!

The governing body of the song contest also approved the Olympiski Arena as the venue of the event in May 2009.

Svante Stockselius, EBU's Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest, said to Eurovision.tv: "Moscow is an impressive city and the proposed venue gives us the fantastic possibility to put everything under one roof. We are confident that Channel One Russia will organize a fantastic 54th Eurovision Song Contest."

The green light of the Reference Group gives the Host Broadcaster the opportunity to go full speed ahead with their preparations for the upcoming contest. In the months ahead, Channel One organizers are to make numerous important decisions, from the creative concept of the event to the practical details of the cooperation with the city of Moscow and many, many others. 

Today, the Reference Group is discussing another much debated issue - the voting in the Final. Stay tuned with Eurovision.tv for the latest news from Moscow!