The team behind the bid to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 in the city of Innsbruck, claim they are confident of their chances after meeting all of the requirements to host the competition.
ORF, the Austrian national broadcaster and host broadcaster of next years contest, outlined their requirements for the host city/venue last month and the Innsbruck bid claims to meet all the criteria with their Olympiahalle venue.
The venue is an indoor ice sports hall, which has hosted ice hockey and figure skating events at the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympic games.
It has a capacity of 10,000 for sporting events but has in the past been used as a music venue with a capacity of 12,000.
Michael Bielowski, the head of the OlympiaWorld, the complex where Olympiahalle is located, said that he is confident in the strength of Innsbruck’s bid,
We meet all of the requirements to host the event, 100%. The venue needs to be free six weeks before the contest and whilst we are busy 70% of the year, as a rule our general terms and conditions are designed so that we can regulate our schedule.
It would be the greatest television event to ever take place in Tyrol [state of Austria], and I think we definitely have a chance to get the nod.
The intention for the venue would be at its 12,000 capacity for the contest, with a temporary building erected in the space next to the venue that would be used as the press and accreditation centre.
Bielowski handed in the Innsbruck proposal ahead of Friday’s deadline on behalf of the city’s mayor Christine Oppitz-Plörer, who is also optimistic about their chances of hosting the Eurovision Song Contest 2015.
With Euro 2008 and the 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games, we have shown that we can be prepared for major events.
We really believe we have a great chance of bringing the contest to Innsbruck.
