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 a host city. This week, the bidding process was officially launched, with the publication of the criteria for eligible host cities. Unsurprisingly, Turin has wasted no time in submitting their bid.
Via her official Facebook page, Mayor of Turin Chiara Appendino has confirmed that she has signed the bid for Turin to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2022. This comes just two days after the publication of the requirements for prospective host cities.
I signed the application letter yesterday.
We are talking about the most followed non-sporting event in the world.
With hundreds of millions of spectators, worldwide visibility of our Turin and indisputable economic repercussions.
With the extraordinary victory of the Måneskin at the last Eurovision it is up to Italy to host the next edition.
We are applying because our city has all the credentials and we believe it is the best option in the field on which to make the choice.
We have spaces with suitable capacities, in the heart of the city and easily accessible.
As far as hospitality is concerned, our accommodation offer is able to accommodate the thousands of people that the event will attract.
But – among others – there is another fundamental point that should lead to choosing Turin: we will already be a proven stage for international events that we have brought here in recent years, capable of putting the skills of an entire city at the service of Eurovision.
Not only. Also thanks to these events, Turin has recently become a Ryanair hub, guaranteeing even more air connections between Turin and the rest of the world.
We are ready and determined. As always, we will do our best to bring Eurovision to Turin and leave this legacy to the citizens as well.
Good luck, Turin.
Chiara Appendino, Mayor of Turin
This marks the first public declaration of a bid being officially submitted, however, with eleven other cities showing interest previously, more bids will likely be sent in over the coming days.
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.
So far we’ve heard from the following cities:
- Bari
- Bologna
- Florence
- Milan
- Naples
- Pesaro
- San Remo
- Reggio Emilia
- Rimini
- Rome
- Turin
- Verona
However, with the publication of the infrastructure and resource requirements for prospective host cities, most of the cities above will be ineligible.
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!