RTP, the Portuguese national broadcaster is in full steam preparing for the forthcoming 2018 Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon.

RTP has confirmed to ESCToday that it will be holding a special press conference at the Oceanario de Lisboa on Tuesday 7 November, in order to reveal more information and details on the upcoming 2018 Eurovision Song Contest and update the assembled press with latest developments regarding the ongoing Eurovision 2018 preparations.

The Oceanario de Lisboa is located at the Parque das Nações in Lisbon, just a stone throw’s away from the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest venue, Altice Arena.

Last week, RTP revealed more details about the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest on a special television show. The broadcaster has already confirmed the concept of the 2018 Eurovision postcards. 43 countries are expected to compete in the competition next year.

The Reference Group of the Eurovision Song Contest is travelling to Lisbon this week in order to check the contest’s preparations and meet up with RTP and Lisbon officials.

RTP and the EBU are yet to officially confirm and disclose more details about the following 2018 ESC key factors, which are expected to be revealed in the months leading up to the contest:

• Eurovision Village venue
• Euro Club venue
• Red Carpet and Opening Ceremony location and venue
• Eurovision 2018 slogan and theme art
• The Eurovision 2018 stage
• Eurovision 2018 ticket sales
• Eurovision 2018 hosts
• Hotels and accommodation
• Volunteers
• City Branding
• Delegation transport
• Safety and security
• The 2018 Eurovision Core team
• The official list of participating countries
• Semi-final Allocation Draw and Host Insignia Handover Ceremony venue

Eurovision 2018 provisional timeline

• November/2017 – Reference Group Meeting in Lisbon
• 07/11/2017-  RTP Press Conference for Eurovision 2018
• January/2018 – Eurovision 2018 Host Insignia Handover Ceremony
• January/2018 – Eurovision 2018 Semifinal Allocation Draw
• 12/03/2018 – Heads of Delegation Meeting in Lisbon (TBC) – (provisional date)
  
• 01/04/2018 – RTP moves into Altice Arena – stage construction begins
• 29/04/2018 – Rehearsals begin (TBC) – (provisional date)
  
• 06/05/2018 – Welcome Reception/Opening Ceremony (TBC) – (provisional date)
  
• 07/05/2018 –  Semi-final 1 – Jury Show
• 08/05/2018 – Semi-final 1 – Family Show
• 08/05/2018 – Semi-final 1 – Live Broadcast
  
• 09/05/2018 – Semi-final 2 – Jury Show
• 10/05/2018 – Semi-final 2 – Family Show
• 10/05/2018 – Semi-final 2 – Live Broadcast
  
• 11/05/2018 – Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final – Jury Final
• 12/05/2018 – Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final – Family Show
• 12/05/2018 – Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final – Live Broadcast

The 2018 Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled to be held on 8, 10 and 12 May at the Altice Arena in Lisbon.