Eurovision Song Contest 2017: Kyiv

When was Eurovision 2017?

• Semi-final 1: 9 May 2017
• Semi-final 2: 11 May 2017
• Grand Final: 13 May 2017

All the shows started at 21:00 CEST.

The National Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine (UA:PBC) proposed the dates for the shows, with the Grand Final to be held on 13 May 2017. These dates were later confirmed.

Hosts of Eurovision 2017 were Oleksandr Skichko, Volodymyr Ostapchuk & Timur Miroshnychenko.

Participants

EBU announced that 43 countries would be competing at Eurovision Song Contest 2017 in Kyiv. After the withdrawal from Russia, the number of participants was 42:

EBU Member Broadcasters, on behalf of their countries, had until mid-September 2016 to formally submit their applications to take part in Eurovision 2017. Broadcasters could withdraw their applications before 10 October 2016 without penalty.

Host City: Kyiv

Київ

Two Ukrainian cities were in the run for hosting the contest: The capital Kyiv and Odessa, but after a long process Kyiv won the race and hosted Eurovision Song Contest 2017.

Kyiv is the capital of Ukraine and also the largest city. Kyiv hosted the 50th Eurovision Song Contest in 2005 as a result of Ruslana's "Wild Dances" victory in 2004. Kyiv also hosted Junior Eurovision in 2009 and 2013.

Arena: Kyiv International Exhibition Centre

Международный выставочный центр
Location: Brovarskiy Avenue 15, UA-02002 Kyiv, Ukraine Google Maps
Metro-station: Livoberezhna (Line 1 Sviatoshynsko-Brovarska)

The arena for Eurovision Song Contest 2017 was "Kyiv International Exhibition Centre". The expo center is an indoor exhibition center spanning over an area of 58,000 square metres, hosting major exhibitions and trade fairs.

The capacity of Kyiv International Exhibition Centre was 8,000 people for each of the three live shows and the six rehearsals, with around 1,500 standing and 6,500 seated spectators.

The Kyiv International Exhibition Center is an internationally recognized venue and prides itself as the biggest expo center in Ukraine. Spanning over an area of 58,000 square meters, the IEC comprises of three exceptional first-class exhibition pavilions which includes around 28,018 square meters of exhibition space. It consists of a congress hall, 14 conference halls, restaurants, cafes, negotiation rooms, parking facilities, checkrooms, and many more. Services offered by the center consists of internet facilities, banking services, office accommodation facilities and much more. The halls are flexible and can be used for several purposes.

The expo center is situated five minutes walk from Livoberezhna underground station at Brovarsky Avenue and only some stops by metro or 10 minutes away from the centre of the city. It also has good connection with Boryspil International Airport lying at 27 km distance.

The preparations inside the expo centre started on 18 March 2017, where the technical and creative team behind Eurovision 2017 took over the arena for the next couple of months, but some of the basics have already started.

The stage was designed by Florian Wieder – a champion in stage design. The stage design was a circular footprint, which exemplified the theme for the contest this year: Celebrating Diversity.

Tickets

The first batch of tickets for Eurovision Song Contest 2017 went on sale on 14 February 2017. Read more: How to get tickets for Eurovision 2017 in Kyiv

Red Carpet: Mariyinsky Palace

Маріїнський палац
Location: Mykhaila Hrushevskoho St, 5A, UA-01008 Kyiv, Ukraine Google Maps
Sunday 7 May 2017

The Red Carpet took place on Sunday 7 May 2017 at Mariyinsky Palace. Mariyinsky Palace is the official ceremonial residence of the President of Ukraine in Kyiv.

At the Red Carpet all the contestants were presented for the press, fans and guests with lots of beautiful dresses, festivities and selfies.

In Stockholm 2016 during the Red Carpet the big-5 countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and United Kingdom) made a draw for which half of the Grand Final they would perform in.

The Red Carpet event was streamed live on YouTube. The Opening Ceremony was held in Euro Club

Euroclub: CEC Parkovy

КВЦ Парковый
Location: Parkova road 16a, UA-01601 Kyiv, Ukraine Google Maps

City of Kyiv housed the Euroclub at the Parkovy Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The Euro Club was the venue for some special parties, the official after parties and performances by participants. The Opening Ceremony was also held in EuroClub. Needed official accreditation or access pass. Euroclub was open from 1 to 14 May, 20:00 - 04:00.

Access to Euroclub was for accredited fans, delegations and press. Others had the opportunity to buy a access pass for all days.

Euro Fan Café: CEC Parkovy

КВЦ Парковый
Location: Parkova road 16a, UA-01601 Kyiv, Ukraine Google Maps

Euro Fan Café was open for everyone where you could mingle with other Eurovision fans, have a drink, get a bite, join some of the events like quizzes, competitions, performances and meets and greets with some of the artists.

At night, the Euro Fan Café was transformed into a karaoke bar, where you could sing all your favorite songs.

Access: Open for everyone.

Eurovision Village: Khreschatyk

Хрещатик
Location: Khreschatyk street Google Maps
Metro-station: Livoberezhna (Line 1 Sviatoshynsko-Brovarska)

Eurovision Village was the official festival area in Kyiv during Eurovision Song Contest 2017. In Eurovision Village you could see live performances by artists, DJs, special events and public viewing of the shows broadcasted from the Arena.

Eurovision Village was open for everyone from 4 May to 14 May from 12:00 until 22:00.

Khreshchatyk is the main street of Kyiv. The street has a length of 1.3 km and the street is included in the Top 20 of most expensive shopping streets in Europe.