ITALY – By Eurovision tradition, Italy received the right to host the Eurovision Song Contest after the country won the competition in 2021. On 23 May 2021, representatives from the cities of Bologna, Milan, Pesaro, Naples and Turin expressed their interest in hosting the contest.

On the same day, the Mayor of Reggio Emilia, Luca Vecchi, expressed interest in hosting the contest in the new RCF Arena, the largest open-air arena in Europe with a capacity of 100,000 spectators located in the Campovolo area in the Emilian town. Also, the Mayor of Rome, Virginia Raggi, expressed interest in hosting the contest.

On 24 May 2021, the Mayor of Rimini, Andrea Gnassi, expressed interest in hosting the contest, proposing the Fiera di Rimini as a venue. On the same day, the Mayor of Florence, Dario Nardella, and the cities of Sanremo and Verona expressed interest in hosting the event.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Sanremo Festival was the idea upon which the Eurovision Song Contest was created.
• Sanremo City was due to host 1991 Eurovision but removed to Rome due to the Iraqi invasion in Kuwait.

CURRENT BIDS

• Bologna with Unipol Arena
• Florence with Nelson Madela Forum (hosted 2018 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship)
• Milan with Mediolanum Forum (hosted 1998, 2015 MTV EMA and 2018 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship) and with Palazzo delle Scintille (which needs renovation work)
• Naples with PalaBarbuto (hosted the 2019 Summer Universiade basketball tournaments)
• Pesaro with Vitrifrigo Arena and Scavolini Auditorium
• Regio Emilia with RFV Arena
• Rimini with Rimini Fiera (hosting Rimini Meeting, RiminiWellness and Sigep)
• Rome with PalaLottomatica (hosted 1960 Olympic Basketball tournaments, 1990 final draw for FIFA World Cup)
• Sanremo with Teatro Ariston (hosting annucally the festival since 1977)
• Turin with Pala Alpitour (hosted 2006 Winter Olympics Ice Hockey games and 2018 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship)
• Verona with Verona Arena (needs a roof)