Sveriges Radio reports that Linköping has officially applied to host the forthcoming 2016 Eurovision Song Contest.

Linköping is bidding to host the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest with the SAAB Arena, which has a capacity of 11,000 persons when it comes to hosting a musical event. The city has submitted its application to bid for the 2016 ESC to SVT last week.

The Municipality of Linköping is all set and keen host the forthcoming 2016 ESC. The Mayor of Linköping Ms. Kristina Edlund goes on to comment on Linköping’s potential bid:

We know that we have the technical conditions. Moreover, we can provide a broad commitment from Linköping residents, businesses and local authorities to make this a mega big party.

SAAB Arena (Arenabolaget Company Linköping)  believes that Linköping is capable of organizing the forthcoming  Eurovision Song Contest. The CEO of Arenabolaget Company Mr Johan Rustan says:

On the four occasions that we have had the privilege to be the hosting the Swedish heats for Eurovision Song Contest- Melodifestivalen, both the businesses and Linköping residents have shown great commintment.

Linköping will invite the region’s municipalities to participate in the preparations. The event will benefit the entire region’s tourism industry.

SVT has invited all the cities/venues interested in hosting the forthcoming Eurovision edition to submit their bids along with their applications. In the next few weeks all the interested parties will send in their application, hereafter SVT will study and evaluate all the submitted bids. The Swedish broadcaster is expected to make an announcement revealing the 2016 Eurovision host city before 31 August.

So far Stockholm is bidding to host the Eurovision with 2  potential venues in the Globes Complex; the Tele 2 Arena and the Ericsson Globen Arena, Sandviken with the Göransson Arena, Goteborg with Scandinavium, Linköping with the SAAB Arena and Örnsköldsvik with Fjällräven Center.

The preliminary dates for the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest have been sent on 10, 12 and 14 May.

Stay tuned to ESCToday for the latest news on Sweden and the 2016 Eurovision Song