Eurovision 2022: RAI commences the host city bidding process

Eurovision 2022: RAI commences the host city bidding process
Wednesday, 07 July 2021

  • The Italian broadcaster, RAI, has commenced the bidding process that will determine which city will host the next edition of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2022. 

    Following Maneskin's victory in Rotterdam last May that gave the right to Italy to host the next Eurovision Song Contest, Local authorities and Mayors of cities across Italy have been expressing their will to take part in the bid for the next Eurovosion host city. The time for them to showcase their proposal has come as RAI has kicked off the bidding process. 

    The Italian broadcaster has released the tender for the Eurovision 2022 host city bidding process, inviting the cities that ambition to host the next contest to send in their applications from July 7, 2021 until July 12, 11:59 pm. All applications should be sent to RAI via email at the following address: [email protected].

    The cities that want to host the competition should meet EBU's requirements and rules and contribute financially to the event's  organization.

    Namely the Host City must have:

    • An international airport no more than 90 minutes from the city.

    • Over 2,000 hotel rooms in the area close to the event.

    • An infrastructure (stadium/venue/centre) capable of hosting a large-scale live broadcast with the minimum requirements listed below.

     

    In addtion the infrastructure should:

    • Be indoors with air-conditioning and have a well defined perimeter;

    • Have an audience capacity in the main hall of around 8,000 – 10,000 during the event (which corresponds to 70% of maximum capacity of that venue for regular concerts, taking into consideration the specific stage and production needs of the Eurovision Song Contest);

    • Have a main hall with the capacity to house the set and all other requirements needed to produce a high level broadcast production (this includes good specifications of load capacity in the roof, clearance to low beams, easy load in access, etc);

    • Have ample space within easy access of the main hall to support additional production needs, such as: a press centre, delegation spaces, dressing rooms, artist facilities, staff facilities, hospitality, audience facilities, etc;

    • Be available exclusively for 6 weeks before the event, 2 weeks during the show (which will take place in May) and a week after the end of the event for dismantling.

    Once the cities send in their applications , RAI will ask from the ones that meet the above requirements to submit their respective bidding books to RAI and EBU, which will have the final word on which city will host the 66th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. 

     

    Is it a case for four? 

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     A total of 12 Italian cities declared their desire to host the next competiton, as soon as Maneskin were crowned winners in Rotterdam. These are: 

    • Rome
    • Turin
    • Milan
    • Bologna
    • Pesaro
    • Florence
    • Rimini
    • Reggio Emilia
    • Verona
    • San Remo
    • Naples
    • Bari

    However, not all fo them seem to fulfill the conditions set by EBU in order to be a sufficient host city for Eurovision 2022. Namely, four cities only seem to meet EBU's requirements

    • Rome
    • Milan
    • Bologna
    • Turin

    Outside this quartet  the possibility of hosting the event in other Italian cities is very difficult, due to the lack of one or more fundamental requirements. In addition we must outline that cities such as Rome, Milan or Turin are certainly benefited also by the fact that Rai has its production centers, television studios and therefore men and staff (including technicians) that can be used for the organization of the event. and live TV.

    Among those four Turin has officially announced that they are taking part in the bidding race and seems to be the front runner. However, who can ignore the eternal city and leave out Rome as a possible host city. One thing that is sure is that the race will be tight and depend on multi factors. 

    In the past years when the contest was a hosted in Italy, it took place in Naples, in 1965, after the victory of Gigliola Cinquetti and in Rome in 1991, after the victory of Toto Cutugno.

    The porcess for the host city will unfold over the following weeks with the cities preparing their bids and submitting their books.  RAI and EBU are expected to reach to a final decision by the end of summer if we take into account the host city process for the previous contest but an earlier date cannot be excluded. The date in which the next contest will take place remain unknown with the respective announcement expected the following weeks. 

     

    News Source: Eurovision.tv/RAI/ESCToday