KAN, the Israeli national broadcaster, has announced today that Eilat is out of the 2019 Eurovision host city bidding race, leaving Jerusalem and Tel Aviv as the potential host cities. The final decision and host city announcement is expected to to take place next week according to the broadcaster.

It’s getting exciting in Israel as the announcement of the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest dates and host city approaches. This week EBU officials travelled to Israel and visited the potential venues in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. They also checked out Eilat’s ambitious plan to build a venue in its port.

KAN has revealed today via its official Twitter account that Eilat has dropped out of the host city bidding race and that the upcoming 2019 Eurovision Song Contest will be held either in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv, with the imminent decision set to take place next week:

 

#עדכוני_אירוויזיון

אילת יצאה מהמירוץ לאירוח התחרות. ירושלים או תל אביב יארחו את אירוויזיון 2019 בישראל – ההכרעה במהלך השבוע הבא.

— כאן (@kann) 30 de agosto de 2018

A total of three cities officially bid to host the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest.

Tel Aviv vs Jerusalem

Now the honour of hosting the forthcoming 2019 Eurovision Song Contest lies either in the hands of Jerusalem or Tel Aviv.

The 2019 ESC will be held either at the Tel Aviv Convention Centre or at Jerusalem’s Pais Arena.

Tel Aviv seems to be the frontrunner to win the bid as the city fully complies with the EBU’s requirements and criteria to host the event. The city has a vibrant night life, an international airport with flight connections to most international destinations,a suitable venue with a capacity of circa 10,000 spectators, large hotel capacity and an excellent transport network.

 

Jon Ola Sand comments on Shabbat

Jon Ola Sand (EBU Exective Supervisor) was inteviewed on KAN today where he shed more light on the Eurovision preparations in Israel. Regarding Shabbat he commented that in order to host the competition the work has to be carried out 24/7 and that it is impossible to host the contest without working on Saturdays, as much work is required in the build up to the event: rehearsals, technical work, stage construction etc. Mr. Sand said it is paramount for the organization to work on Saturdays.

 

יון אולה סאנד, המפקח על האירווזיון מטעם ה-EBU בריאיון בלעדי ל-@shani_na: “בשביל לערוך את תחרות האירוויזיון צריך לעבוד 24 שעות ביממה במשך כמה שבועות. אין סיכוי שהתחרות תוכל להיערך, לא משנה איפה, ללא עבודה בשבתות” | הראיון המלא ב-#חדשות_הערב pic.twitter.com/ozQ0WH7XkQ

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) 30 de agosto de 2018

Israel will be welcoming the Eurovision bandwagon for the third time in Eurovision history having hosted the competition twice in Jerusalem, namely in 1979 and 1999.

Israel won the right to host the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest last May when Netta was crowned the winner of the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon with her iconic entry Toy.