Eurovision Song Contest 2011 To Be Held In Dusseldorf

Dusseldorf has been chosen as the location for next year’s Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) for all three live events, the main contest on May 14, and the semi finals on May 10 and 12, as announced this week by NDR, the German television company in charge of the broadcast. Dusseldorf is now preparing for one of the world’s most watched non-sporting events with an anticipated 24,000 visitors and hundreds of millions of TV and online viewers for the live broadcast (160 Million in 2010).

ESC takes place each year in the country of the previous year’s winner. Germany won the contest this year with a song performed by Lena Meyer-Landrut, who will represent Germany again in 2011.

Four German cities, including Berlin, Hamburg, and Hannover, bid on hosting the 2011 event, and Dusseldorf had the best fit for the high requirements in staging the enormous event. The event venue, Dusseldorf’s ESPRIT Arena, will be reserved exclusively for a total of six weeks to accommodate ESC set-up and execution. Soccer games and other events scheduled for this time will move to alternate venues.

Source: MI2N