Vienna chosen to host 70th Eurovision Song Contest
Austria's capital was selected by national broadcaster ORF and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) following a competitive bid process. The Grand Final will be staged at the Wiener Stadthalle on Saturday 16 May, with Semi-Finals on Tuesday 12 and Thursday 14 May.
This will be the third time Vienna has welcomed Eurovision. The city first hosted in 1967 after Udo Jürgens' victory the year before, and again in 2015 following Conchita Wurst's win. Next year's contest comes after Austria's JJ triumphed in Basel this May with Wasted Love, securing the country's third Eurovision crown.
Martin Green, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, said Vienna's reputation as "one of the most musical cities in the world" and its central European location made it the ideal choice. He added that the Stadthalle proved to be an "exceptional venue" when it staged the 60th edition.
Vienna's mayor Michael Ludwig said the city would ensure events around the contest are accessible to everyone, while Tourism Director Norbert Kettner described Eurovision and Vienna as a "perfect match".
Eurovision has delivered significant boosts to recent host cities, with Liverpool, Malmö and Basel all reporting major gains in tourism and international profile.
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