UPD Although originally scheduled for the 12th March, ticket release for the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest will probably be postponed for the 16th. Unlike in recent years, there will be no packages but tickets can be purchased individually. Prices, for those who have been following the contest these past years, are back to Helsinki levels. This year's contest will be held at the Olympiinski Arena in Moscow, which after the modifications for the stage will be able to accommodate about 15.000 spectators per show.

There will be ten different pricing categories for the tickets of the 2009 according to the location of the seats. Prices will range from about €20 for the semi final dress rehearsals to up about €650 for the VIP tickets to the final. An average price for the semi final dress rehearsals will be about €15, the final dress rehearsal €25, €95 for each of the semi finals and €150 for the final.

Compared to the past two years we notice that the prices are closer to the ones sold for the 2007 contest held in Helsinki, as the most expensive, all-inclusive, package sold for Belgrade cost about 343 euro in total. Members of the OGAE international fan clubs will once again be able to get their front row arena tickets through the local clubs at special prices.

Tickets will be sold online through www.eurovision.1tv.ru and Eventim International. Interested fans should be warned that already at least one other website, different to the ones mentioned above, has come to our attention claiming to be selling Eurovision Song Contest 2009 tickets but it is not legal nor authorised to do so.

The exact date for the release of the tickets will be soon confirmed, so stay tuned!