The choice to bring the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest to Finland's capital was essentially decided by aspects relating to the practical arrangements for the contest. Host broadcaster YLE said that, after Helsinki was announced as host city for the 2007 competition.

Major events
The city of Helsinki has years of experience at organising various major events. The large number of seats at the Hartwall Areena will give as many people as possible an opportunity to come to watch the contest on the spot. Flight and other transport links in Greater Helsinki are also much better compared to the rest of Finland, the same is true of accommodation capacity.

"Our objective was to find the best possible place in Finland for the successful organising of this exceptionally demanding major event", says Director of Television Olli-Pekka Heinonen. YLE has appointed Heinonen and Radio Suomi’s Director of Programmes Ville Vilén to co-ordinate the Eurovision Song Contest project, as earlier reported.

Eleven bids
A total of 11 different large venues from seven localities applied to hold the contest. LänsiAuto Areena in Espoo, Helsinki Ice Stadium, Helsinki Fair Centre, VR Konepaja in Helsinki, Lahti’s Suurhalli, Kittilän Levi, Rovaniemi’s Lappi Areena, Pirkkahalli and the Ratina stadium in Tampere, and Turkuhalli, all entered applications, in addition to the Hartwall Areena.

"We would like to thank all those who applied for the event for their efforts. All the applications were drawn up with great professionalism and thoroughness and demonstrate that there is a strong will in Finland for arranging successful competitions", Heinonen stresses.

Producer appointed
YLE is continuing to work intensively on organising the Eurovision Song Contest through planning of programme content and technical implementation. YLE Director of Programming Heikki Seppälä has been appointed the event’s principal producer. He has long experience of television work. He has previously worked as Head of Entertainment at TV1, and has also been executive producer of a number of top sports events.