Editing Eurovision Song Contest (section)

== Hosting ==
{{Further|List of Eurovision Song Contest host cities}}
[[File:Eurovision all cities.svg|thumb|Countries which have hosted the Eurovision Song Contest (up to 2025):<br />{{legend inline|#4d9221|A single hosting}} {{legend inline|#c51b7d|Multiple hostings}}]]
The winning broadcaster traditionally hosts the following year's event, with [[List of Eurovision Song Contest host cities#Hosting traditions and exceptions|some exceptions]] since {{Escyr|1958}}.<ref name="Historical Milestones">{{Cite web |title=Historical Milestones |url=http://www.eurovision.tv/english/611.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060526065558/http://www.eurovision.tv/english/611.htm |archive-date=26 May 2006 |access-date=3 July 2020 |publisher=[[European Broadcasting Union]]}}</ref><ref name="ESC History" /> Hosting the contest can be seen as a unique opportunity for promoting the host country as a tourist destination and can provide benefits to the local economy and tourism sectors of the host city.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boyle |first=Stephen |date=13 May 2016 |title=The cost of winning the Eurovision Song Contest |url=https://www.rbs.com/rbs/news/2016/05/the-cost-of-winning-the-eurovision-song-contest.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220821193101/https://www.rbs.com/rbs/news/2016/05/the-cost-of-winning-the-eurovision-song-contest.html |archive-date=21 August 2022 |access-date=20 March 2021 |publisher=[[Royal Bank of Scotland]]}}</ref> However, there is a perception reflected in popular culture that some broadcasters wish to avoid the costly burden of hosting{{spnd}}sometimes resulting in them sending deliberately subpar entries with no chance of winning.{{efn|This belief is mentioned in ''[[Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga]]'' (2020) and a plot point in the ''[[Father Ted]]'' episode "[[A Song for Europe (Father Ted)|A Song for Europe]]" (1996).}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Sullivan |first=Domhnall |date=2024-07-19 |title=Swiss direct democracy is Eurovision's latest challenge |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/democracy/swiss-direct-democracy-is-eurovisions-latest-challenge/84198908 |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=[[SWI swissinfo]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> Preparations for each year's contest typically begin at the conclusion of the previous year's contest, with the head of delegation of the winning country receiving a welcome package of information related to hosting the contest at the winner's press conference.<ref name="How it works" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=14 May 2017 |title=Winner's Press Conference with Portugal's Salvador Sobral |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/2017-winners-press-conference |access-date=3 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=19 May 2019 |title=Winner's Press Conference with the Netherlands' Duncan Laurence |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/winners-press-conference-with-netherlands-duncan-laurence |access-date=3 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref> Eurovision is a non-profit event, and financing is typically achieved through a fee from each participating broadcaster, contributions from the host broadcaster and the host city, and commercial revenues from sponsorships, ticket sales, televoting, and merchandise.<ref name="FAQ" />

The host broadcaster will subsequently select a host city, typically a national or regional capital city, which must meet certain criteria set out in the contest's rules. The host venue must be able to accommodate at least 10,000 spectators, a press centre for 1,500 journalists, should be within easy reach of an [[international airport]] and with hotel accommodation available for at least 2,000 delegates, journalists, and spectators.<ref name="Host city criteria">{{Cite web |date=30 July 2007 |title=What does it take to become a Eurovision host city? |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/what-does-it-take-to-become-a-eurovision-host-city |access-date=3 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref> A variety of different venues have been used, from small theatres and television studios to large arenas and stadiums.<ref name="ESC History" /> The largest host venue is [[Parken Stadium]] in Copenhagen, which was attended by almost 38,000 spectators in {{Escyr|2001}}.<ref name="Facts & Figures" /><ref name="Copenhagen 01" /> With a population of 1,500 at the time of the {{Escyr|1993||1993 contest}}, [[Millstreet]], Ireland, remains the smallest hosting settlement, although its [[Green Glens Arena]] is capable of hosting up to 8,000 spectators.<ref name="Millstreet 93" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Millstreet Town: Green Glens Arena |url=http://www.millstreet.ie/green%20glens/greenglens.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401191842/http://www.millstreet.ie/green%20glens/greenglens.htm |archive-date=1 April 2019 |access-date=3 July 2020 |website=millstreet.ie}}</ref>

Unlike the [[Olympic Games]] or [[FIFA World Cup]], whose host venues are announced several years in advance, there is usually no purpose-built infrastructure whose construction is justified with the needs of hosting the Eurovision Song Contest. However, the {{Escyr|2012|3=2012 edition}}, hosted in [[Baku]], Azerbaijan, was held at [[Baku Crystal Hall]], a venue that had not existed when Azerbaijan won the previous year.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-08-13 |title=From Eurovision to the European Games - the Baku Crystal Hall |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1021853/from-eurovision-to-the-european-games-the-baku-crystal-hall |access-date=2024-05-12 |website=insidethegames.biz}}</ref> Every other editions have been held in pre-existing venues, but renovations or modifications have sometimes been undertaken in the year prior which are justified with the needs of the contest.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ghazi |first=Saarah |date=2024-05-08 |title=Eurovision: Does the winner take it all? |url=https://www.oxfordeconomics.com/resource/eurovision-does-the-winner-take-it-all/ |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=Oxford Economics |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Eurovision logo and theme ===
[[File:Eurovision Song Contest logo.svg|thumb|right|alt=Previous generic logo used at the contest between 2004 and 2014|Logo used from 2004 to 2014]]

Until 2004, each edition of the contest used its own logo and visual identity as determined by the respective host broadcaster. To create a consistent visual identity, the EBU introduced a generic logo ahead of the {{Escyr|2004||2004 contest}}. This is typically accompanied by a unique theme artwork designed for each individual contest by the host broadcaster, with the flag of the host country placed prominently in the centre of the Eurovision heart.<ref name="Brand">{{Cite web |title=Eurovision Song Contest: Brand |date=12 January 2017 |url=https://eurovision.tv/about/brand |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201075740/https://eurovision.tv/about/brand |archive-date=1 February 2021 |access-date=3 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest|url-status=dead}}</ref> The original logo was designed by the London-based agency JM International, and received a revamp in 2014 by the Amsterdam-based Cityzen Agency for the contest's {{Escyr|2015||60th edition}}.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 July 2014 |title=Eurovision Song Contest logo evolves |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-song-contest-logo-evolves |access-date=3 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref><ref name="Logos & Artwork">{{Cite web |date=12 January 2017 |title=Eurovision Song Contest: Logos and Artwork |url=https://eurovision.tv/mediacentre/logos-and-artwork |access-date=17 March 2021 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref>

An individual theme is utilised by contest producers when constructing the visual identity of each edition of the contest, including the stage design, the opening and interval acts, and the "postcards".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Groot |first=Evert |date=28 October 2018 |title=Tel Aviv 2019: Dare to Dream |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/slogan-tel-aviv-2019-dare-to-dream |access-date=7 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=LaFleur |first=Louise |date=25 October 2019 |title=The making of 'Open Up' |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/the-making-of-open-up |access-date=7 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 December 2019 |title=2020 postcard concept revealed as Dutch people can join in on the fun |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2020-postcards-concept-revealed |access-date=7 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gleave |first=Amy |date=2023-05-02 |title=Eurovision branding over the years |url=https://www.dawncreative.co.uk/insight/eurovision-branding/ |access-date=2023-09-02 |website=Dawn Creative |language=en}}</ref> The short video postcards are interspersed between the entries and were first introduced in {{escyr|1970}}, initially as an attempt to "bulk up" the contest after a number of countries decided not to compete, but has since become a regular part of the show and usually highlight the host country and introduce the competing acts.<ref name="Amsterdam 50th anniv">{{Cite web |date=29 April 2020 |title=Happy 50th Anniversary, Eurovision 1970! |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/happy-50th-anniversary-1970-eurovision |access-date=7 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref>{{sfn|O'Connor|2010|pp=40–43}} A [[Slogans of the Eurovision Song Contest|unique slogan]] for each edition, first introduced in {{escyr|2002}}, was also an integral part of each contest's visual identity, which was replaced by a permanent slogan from {{escyr|2024}} onwards. The permanent slogan, "United by Music", had previously served as the slogan for the {{escyr|2023||2023 contest}} before being retained for all future editions as part of the contest's global brand strategy.<ref name="Slogan2">{{Cite web |date=2023-11-14 |title='United By Music' chosen as permanent Eurovision slogan |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/united-by-music-permanent-slogan |access-date=2023-11-14 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest|lang=en-gb}}</ref>

=== Preparations ===
[[File:Netta at the Eurovision 2018 - Winner’s Press Conference 03.jpg|alt=A press conference during the 2012 contest; the Serbian delegation are seated at a long table with rows of journalists seated facing them, with a large screen on the wall behind the delegation projecting a live relay of the conference.|thumb|Press conference with the Israeli delegation following its win at the {{Escyr|2018|3=2018 contest}}]]
[[File:Pht-Vugar Ibadov eurovision (35).jpg|thumb|alt=Photo of the EuroClub in 2012; a large group of delegates are seen conversing|The EuroClub at the {{Escyr|2012|3=2012 contest}} in [[Baku]], Azerbaijan]]
Preparations in the host venue typically begin approximately six weeks before the final, to accommodate building works and technical rehearsals before the arrival of the competing artists.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Anforderungsprofil an die Austragungsstätte des Eurovision Song Contest 2015 |trans-title=Requirements to the venue of the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 |url=http://kundendienst.orf.at/aktuelles/anforderungsprofl_austragungsstaette.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531162001/http://kundendienst.orf.at/aktuelles/anforderungsprofl_austragungsstaette.pdf |archive-date=31 May 2014 |access-date=3 July 2020 |publisher=[[ORF (broadcaster)|ORF]] |language=de}}</ref> Delegations will typically arrive in the host city two to three weeks before the live show, and each participating broadcaster appoints a head of delegation, responsible for coordinating the movements of their delegation and being their representative to the EBU.<ref name="Rules" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rules of the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest |url=http://www.eurovision.tv/searchfiles_english/574.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060210010517/http://www.eurovision.tv/searchfiles_english/574.htm |archive-date=10 February 2006 |access-date=3 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref> Members of each country's delegation include performers, composers, lyricists, a Head of Press, and—in the years where a live orchestra was present—a conductor.<ref name="HoDs">{{Cite web |date=14 January 2017 |title=Eurovision Song Contest: Heads of Delegation |url=https://eurovision.tv/about/organisers/heads-of-delegation/ |access-date=5 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref> Present if desired is a commentator, who provides commentary of the event for their radio and/or television feed in their own language in dedicated booths situated around the back of the arena behind the audience.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 May 2011 |title=Commentator's guide to the commentators |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/commentator-s-guide-to-the-commentators |access-date=3 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Escudero |first=Victor M. |date=14 May 2017 |title=Commentators: The national hosts of Eurovision |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/commentators-sweden-mans-zelmerlow-edward-af-sillen |access-date=3 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref>

Each delegation conducts two individual rehearsals behind closed doors, the first for 30 minutes and the second for 20 minutes.<ref name="2008 rehearsal schedule" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Granger |first=Anthony |date=10 May 2023 |title=Eurovision 2023: EBU & BBC Discuss Voting, Rehearsals & Qualifiers Announcement |url=https://eurovoix.com/2023/05/10/eurovision-2023-ebu-bbc-conference/ |access-date=11 May 2023 |website=Eurovoix |language=en-GB}}</ref> Individual rehearsals for the semi-finalists commence the week before the live shows, with countries typically rehearsing in the order in which they will perform during the contest; rehearsals for the host country and the "Big Five" automatic finalists are held towards the end of the week.<ref name="2008 rehearsal schedule">{{Cite web |title=Eurovision Song Contest 2008: Rehearsal schedule |url=http://www.eurovision.tv/upload/media/ESC2008_rehearsals.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221010818/http://www.eurovision.tv/upload/media/ESC2008_rehearsals.pdf |archive-date=21 December 2008 |access-date=3 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref><ref name="2018 rehearsal schedule">{{Cite web |date=27 April 2018 |title=Your ultimate guide to the Eurovision 2018 event weeks |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/guide-to-eurovision-2018-event-weeks-rehearal-schedule |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518142209/https://eurovision.tv/story/guide-to-eurovision-2018-event-weeks-rehearal-schedule |archive-date=18 May 2019 |access-date=3 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref> Following rehearsals, delegations meet with the show's production team to review footage of the rehearsal and raise any special requirements or changes. "Meet and greet" sessions with accredited fans and press are held during these rehearsal weeks.<ref name="2008 rehearsal schedule" /><ref name="Event weeks">{{Cite web |date=21 March 2017 |title=Eurovision Song Contest: Event weeks |url=https://eurovision.tv/about/in-depth/event-weeks |access-date=3 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref> Each live show is preceded by three dress rehearsals, where the whole show is run in the same way as it will be presented on TV.<ref name="Event weeks" /> The second dress rehearsal, alternatively called the "jury show" or "evening preview show"<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-03-27 |title=Tickets for Eurovision 2024 in Malmö |url=https://eurovision.tv/tickets |access-date=2023-12-03 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest |language=en}}</ref> and held the night before the broadcast, is used as a recorded back-up in case of technological failure, and performances during this show are used by the professional jury in each country to determine their votes.<ref name="2018 rehearsal schedule" /><ref name="Event weeks" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 May 2013 |title=Time now for the all important Jury Final |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/time-now-for-the-all-important-jury-final |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902160705/https://eurovision.tv/story/time-now-for-the-all-important-jury-final |archive-date=2 September 2019 |access-date=25 March 2021 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref> The delegations from the qualifying countries in each semi-final attend a qualifiers' press conference after their respective semi-final, and the winning delegation attends a winners' press conference following the final.<ref name="Event weeks" />

A welcome reception is typically held at a venue in the host city on the Sunday preceding the live shows, which includes a [[red carpet]] ceremony for all the participating countries and is usually broadcast online.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 May 2010 |title=Welcome Reception: Pink champagne for the stars |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/welcome-reception-pink-champagne-for-the-stars |access-date=3 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=12 May 2019 |title=Tel Aviv prepares for glamorous Orange Carpet |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/tel-aviv-prepares-for-glamorous-orange-carpet-tune-in-at-18-00-cest |access-date=3 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref> Accredited delegates, press and fans have access to an official nightclub, the "EuroClub", and some delegations will hold their own parties.<ref name="Event weeks" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 April 2017 |title=Eurovision Song Contest: EuroClub |url=https://eurovision.tv/fans/euroclub |access-date=3 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=14 May 2011 |title='Big Five' meet to take a trip down the Rhine |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/big-five-meet-to-take-a-trip-down-the-rhine |access-date=3 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref> The "Eurovision Village" is an official fan zone open to the public free of charge, with live performances by the contest's artists and screenings of the live shows on big screens.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 April 2018 |title=Eurovision Song Contest: Eurovision Village |url=https://eurovision.tv/fans/eurovision-village |access-date=3 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref>