Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Hannover bid to host Eurovision

Four German cities are competing to host next year’s Eurovision Song Contest when it comes to Germany as a result of teenager Lena Meyer-Landrut winning this year’s competition.

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By the end of Friday, when the deadline for submissions ran out, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Hannover had all thrown their hats into the ring for the honour.

Munich, where the only previous Germany-hosted show took place in 1983, did not apply, saying it was such a popular place that there was nothing available next May.

Organising television station NDR said a decision would be made in the late summer. The semi-final round will take place on May 10 and 12, with the all-important final scheduled for May 14.

A spokesman for Hamburg said the short routes between train stations, hotels and event locations made the northern harbour city perfect to host the competition. The city boasted of its flair, its central event location and its cultural history. It is also a media centre within Germany.

Hannover has worked with the state of Lower Saxony and Deutsche Messe AG to put together a packet which a spokesman for the city said made them optimistic – particularly because they are the hometown of Meyer-Landrut.

Düsseldorf stressed its history as a host for conferences and trade fairs as well as its international connections and cosmopolitan nature.

NDR said it would have to examine a host of logistical and content-based considerations, including what kind of hall would be available, how useful it would be for producing a television show and costs, as well as transport and hotel infrastructure.

Berlin announced its entry shortly after Meyer-Landrut won in Oslo – she has already said she would favour the capital as host of the coming competition.