Eurovision ticket sales postponed ‘indefinitely’ as more problems hit troubled Ukraine contest
Fans of the Eurovision Song Contest are still without tickets with just 12 weeks to go – after the planned launch of ticket sales was axed at the last minute.
The camp music contest is set to be held in Ukraine this year after the victory of Crimean singer Jamala, but it has been plagued with delays and setbacks.
Eurovision begins in Kyiv on May 9, but fans who have rushed to book flights and accommodation are still not sure whether they will actually be able to attend the contest.
European Broadcasting Union execs previously threatened to pull the contest out of Kyiv over behind-the-scenes troubles, which has seen major decisions run months behind schedule.
A withdrawal was averted after the Ukrainian Parliament issued extra emergency funding to cover the cost of the contest, after delays on security, site preparation, set design, ticketing and transport.
But another setback came this week, as Ukraine’s Anti-Monopoly Committee ruled that the tender process for the ticketing provider was rushed and unfair.
The Committee cancelled the initial contract for , postponing the launch of ticket sales indefinitely. It is also investigating complaints about other contracts relating to Eurovision.
Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest, Jon Ola Sand said: “We are disappointed with the delay to the start of ticket sales for the Eurovision Song Contest 2017, but are working closely with Host Broadcaster UA:PBC to resolve this situation.
“The EBU recognises that any tender process needs to be transparent and fair, and hope that tickets can go on sale at the earliest possible opportunity”
However, with just three months until the launch of the contest, organisers were already facing a scramble to finish preparations in time – and the latest problems will do little to calm fans.
The Semi-Finals of the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 will take place on May 9 and May 11, with the Grand Final on Saturday May 13. The contest is currently set to take place in Kyiv’s International Exhibition Centre.
