After weeks of anticipation, the host broadcaster SVT has confirmed that Stockholm will host the Eurovision Song Contest for 2016.
Much discussion was made as to the location of next year’s contest with Måns Zelmerlöw’s Heroes being victorious just two years after Sweden hosting the event in Malmö. With the city of Skåne having already withdrawn Malmö from hosting duties after a successful 2013, it was only a matter of deciding on the suitable venue , and with its extensive history of hosting Melodifestivalen, currently the most watched television program in Sweden and the selection show for Sweden’s entrant into Eurovision, the choice of Stockholm Globe Arena will be a popular one amongst Swedish and Eurovision fans alike!
This will be the second time the Globe Arena will host the event having first done so in 2000. It has a maximum capacity of 16000 spectators , however stage and camera designs will soon determine the final seating and standing capacity for the three live shows. There will also be extensive use of the surrounding buildings, with Hovet arena being used for a projected 1500 accredited press, the Annexet venue assigned to accommodate the competing Delegations, and according to 2016 SVT producer Martin Österdahl, “The jewel on the crown is that we can organise an even more powerful Eurovision Song Contest by incorporating the Tele2 Arena in the Grand Final.”
The Semi Final live shows are to be held on the 10th and 12th of May, whilst the Grand Final of the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest will be broadcast on the 14th of May. Information regarding ticket sales is not expected until the end of 2015.
