Three cities will compete for the right to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Switzerland. Some localities that were predicted to win this right and could potentially become the hosts have already refused.
RBC-Ukraine tells what cities can host Eurovision 2025 and where it will not take place for sure.
Sources: 24heures, RSI, Le Temps.
What cities will not host Eurovision 2025?
One of the main candidates to host the musical event was Lugano, the first city to host the Eurovision Song Contest back in 1956.
However, the deputy mayor of Lugano, Roberto Badaracco, ruled out holding the contest in his city.
"It would be nice to bring the contest back to Ticino (the canton of which Lugano is the capital - ed.). However, ambitions clashed with the real situation in Lugano, as well as in the entire canton. Unfortunately, we don't have facilities that can accommodate up to 15,000 spectators. There is the LAC, the Palazzo dei Congressi, the Cornèr Arena, the future sports hall, and even the conference center, but they will never reach the required number [of seats]. It's sad because an event of this scale would surely have a great impact on our canton. But I think it will not be possible," he said.
The big city of Lausanne has also excluded holding a song contest. The problem is the same.
"The only venue that would be suitable in size would be the Vaudoise Arena, but we are already at the limit of the capacity needed. We also don't have the necessary additional facilities, including a press center. But the main obstacle is the calendar. The venue needs to be available a few weeks before the event, and this is impossible because of the busy hockey season," explained Mayor Gregoire Junod.
Vaudoise Arena (photo: vaudoisearena.ch)
Lausanne has hosted Eurovision before. It was in 1989 after the victory of Celine Dion, who represented Switzerland.
What cities can host Eurovision 2025?
Recently, the Zurich authorities confirmed to the Swiss media that they are considering applying to host the song contest.
Thus, as of today, 3 Swiss cities have publicly expressed their interest in hosting Eurovision 2025:
- Zurich
- Geneva
- St. Gallen.
Whether these cities will be able to ensure technically the holding of such a major contest as Eurovision is to be decided by the Swiss Public Broadcasting Association SRG SSR. It will be responsible for organizing the event.
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