Back in June, 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. Last month, the bidding process was officially launched, with the publication of the criteria for eligible host cities. After 17 became 11, now only 5 candidates remain.
EurovisionIN have reported that Rai has once again whittled down the field of potential host cities to five. Earlier this month, the broadcaster had revealed that 11 candidates progressed to the second stage after submitting their bid books.
The 5 cities that remain in contention to host Eurovision 2022 are:
- Bologna
- Milan
- Pesaro
- Rimini
- Turin
Unsurprisingly, all 3 of the proposed cities that meet all of the requirements – Bologna, Milan and Turin – remain in contention. Now, the representatives from the broadcaster will be visiting each of the remaining candidate cities to assess their facilities.
The final decision is due to be made next week.
Eurovision 2022 so far
A total seventeen Italian cities submitted their candidacy to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2022. However, only 3 of these proposed cities meet all of the requirements. Notably, Verona, Naples and Bari did not submit bids after initially expressing interest.
The cities in the running are:
The provincial capitals that are in the running are:
AlessandriaMatera- Pesaro
- Rimini
Viterbro
Meanwhile, the following municipalities have submitted bids:
Acireale (Catania)Bertinoro di Romagna (Forlì – Cesena)Jesolo (Venice)Palazzolo Acreide (Syracuse)Sanremo (Imperia)
After submitting their initial bids, each candidate received a more detailed document ahead of the next stage. Six of the above were then eliminated from the process following a meeting of the Board of Directors (struck through). Rai, in coordination with the EBU, will select the host city by the end of August.
The hosting line-up has yet to be revealed, but Alessandro Cattelan and Chiara Ferragni are currently the rumoured frontrunners.
Måneskin won the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 with “Zitti E Buoni”, taking us to Italy for the first time since 1991. We will report as the selection process continues!
Who 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!
Petition link: http://chng.it/bZyc2jB9
Hey, Eurovision fans! I know it’s quite impossible but I am trying to return Bosnia and Herzegovina to the contest. So if you have time, could you please sign the petition that I made. Thank you so much!