Melodifestivalen, the Swedish selection format for the Eurovision Song Contest will kick off in 2008 on February 9th. This morning, national broadcaster SVT announced the dates and venues for the 2008 competition. Once again, the final will see all eyes turn to the Globen Arena for the final on March 15th.
The Eurovision Song Contest is almost a national pass time in Sweden and the selection show, Melodifestivalen is one of the most anticipated and watched shows of the year. The race to host the shows is of huge importance to many cities. Goteborg, Sweden's second city, once again misses out on hosting the final, but has been rewarded with the first semi final at the venue of the 1985 Eurovision Song Contest. Kiruna and Västerås will both host a Melodifestivalen for the first time. Karlskrona and Linköping will be welcoming the semi final roadshow back to town.
The full Melodifestivalen schedule.
9th February -Semi-final 1:Scandinavium, Göteborg.
16th February -Semi-final 2: ABB Arena, Västerås.
23rd February -Semi-final 3: Cloetta Center, Linköping.
1st March – Semi-final 4: Telenor Arena, Karlskrona.
8th March – 2nd chanceround: Arena Arctica, Kiruna.
15th March – Grand Final: Globen, Stockholm.
