Yesterday, Swedish national broadcaster, SVT, announced the dates and venues for Melodifestivalen 2008, the Swedish national selection show for the Eurovision Song Contest. Early ticket sales details have now been released. Prices will be announced later.

Melodifestivalen is the most popular national final in Europe with it's domesticaudience.The scramble for tickets is fierce, mirroring the Eurovision Song Contest itself.Last year, Melodifestivalen final tickets sold out well within an hour. The final is held in the Globen Arena, host venue of the 2000 Eurovision Song Contest and many fans from around Europe attend every year.

Tickets will be available for all six shows:

• 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 chance round: Arena Arctica, Kiruna.
• 15th March – Grand Final: Globen, Stockholm.

Tickets will also be available for rehearsals for all six shows. It is expected that tickets will be limited to a maximum of four per booking. To book tickets, visit www.ticnet.se from Friday or contact the venues directly.