Last month, representatives from Rai travelled to Geneva to meet with the EBU’s Eurovision Reference Group. Following the meeting, Italian Head of Delegation Simona Martorelli stated that the first task ahead was to select the host city. Today, the bidding process was officially launched, with the publication of the criteria for eligible host cities.
Back in June, we published a summary of the main contenders to host the 2022 contest, in which it appeared that only Turin’s Pala Alpitour had an adequate gap in its calendar. Now, Rai have officially announced the start of the bidding process by announcing the criteria for prospective host cities, which are as follows:
As outlined on Eurovision.tv, the host city must have:
- An international airport no more than 90 minutes from the city.
- Over 2,000 hotel rooms in the area close to the event.
- An infrastructure (stadium/venue/centre) capable of hosting a large-scale live broadcast with the minimum requirements listed below.
Infrastructure requirements
- Be indoors with air-conditioning and have a well defined perimeter;
- Have an audience capacity in the main hall of around 8,000 – 10,000 during the event (which corresponds to 70% of maximum capacity of that venue for regular concerts, taking into consideration the specific stage and production needs of the Eurovision Song Contest);
- Have a main hall with the capacity to house the set and all other requirements needed to produce a high level broadcast production (this includes good specifications of load capacity in the roof, clearance to low beams, easy load in access, etc);
- Have ample space within easy access of the main hall to support additional production needs, such as: a press centre, delegation spaces, dressing rooms, artist facilities, staff facilities, hospitality, audience facilities, etc;
- Be available exclusively for 6 weeks before the event, 2 weeks during the show (which will take place in May) and a week after the end of the event for dismantling.
Further details will be sent from Rai to all Italian cities that indicate interest in hosting the contest by Monday 12 July. Bid books are expected to be presented to Rai and the EBU in the coming weeks.
Twelve cities showing interest
Måneskin won the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 with “Zitti E Buoni”, taking us to Italy for the first time since 1991. Shortly after their victory, a number of cities have announced their interest in bidding to host the 2022 contest. By our estimations, Turin is currently a frontrunner, and is seeing support from local politicians, who have officially supported the bid.
The official bids have yet to be put forward but so far we’ve heard from the following cities:
- Bari
- Bologna
- Florence
- Milan
- Naples
- Pesaro
- San Remo
- Reggio Emilia
- Rimini
- Rome
- Turin
- Verona
We will report as the bidding process continues!
Which city would you like to see host Eurovision 2022? Let us know! Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra on Instagram and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates! Also, be sure to follow us on Spotify and YouTube to see our reactions to the news in the run up to the 2022 national final season!
