Stockselius met 2009 organizers in Moscow

Traditionally, the Executive Supervisor introduced the outlines of the project to Host Broadcaster Channel One and discussed the road ahead. "The Eurovision Song Contest is an extremely challenging project, but I am confident that Channel One will put together a production of the highest level," Stockselius said after his Moscow visit. 

Preliminary dates for the 54th Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Finals are Tuesday 12th and Thursday 14th of May, while the Final is scheduled to take place on Saturday 16th of May, 2009.

Channel One proposed the EBU to host next year's Eurovision Song Contest at the Olimpiisky indoor arena in Russia's capital Moscow. The venue was built for the 1980 Summer Olympics and hosted the basketball and boxing events. The venue can host up to 80,000 people when fully occupied, although the capacity for sports and television events is between 10,000 and 16,000 fans.

Those eager to obtain tickets for the 2009 running of the contest will have to be patient. Traditionally, ticket sales for the Eurovision Song Contestdoes not start before winter.

The Channel One proposal will be evaluated by the EBU's Reference Group of the Eurovision Song Contest. Final confirmation of the Host City and the venue for the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest is expected around the end of summer.