Not enough space, man: Lincolnshire ‘unlikely to host Eurovision’

Lincolnshire bosses are doubtful any bids will be made to host the Eurovision Song Contest in the county – saying the area just doesn’t have a venue big enough.

Despite some amazing venues such as the Lincolnshire Showground, Market Rasen Racecourse and a number of football stadiums councillors have told reporters none of them are big enough for the massive event.

Organisers of the major European contest announced on Monday that the UK would be hosting the Eurovision Song Contest on Ukraine’s behalf due to the ongoing war.

Ukraine won the 2022 contest with Kaush Orchestra’s Stefania, however, there were already doubts about the country’s capabilities to host even then.

The UK came second with Sam Ryder’s Spaceman which also became the highest-charting UK Eurovision entry since Gina G’s OOh Aah… Just A Little Bit in 1996.

Asked if Lincoln would be placing a bid to host the event following a meeting on Monday, Labour leader of Lincoln City Council Ric Metcalfe said the thought had crossed his mind.

However, he added: “I don’t think so because I don’t think we’ve got, unfortunately, the venues and the infrastructure to support an event of that scale.

Leader of City of Lincoln Council, Ric Metcalfe (Labour)

“It would be nice to think that we could… but being realistic I think its inevitably going to go to either London or one of the bigger metropolitan areas clearly.”

He was backed by Conservative Lincolnshire County Councillor Colin Davie, the executive portfolio holder for economy, who said: “We would be happy to welcome Eurovision to Lincolnshire, however the staging of such a major television event requires enormous facilities and a very large venue  in which to stage the show.

“If we could find a venue, of course would be be happy to back the team for Lincolnshire to be considered by government, however, we are already in a field of very big cities waiting to host the show, so we shouldn’t be raising expectations too high.”

It is expected most major cities such as London, Sheffield, Manchetser, Liverpool and Birmingham will throw their hat into the ring.

The EBU said any venue venue needed to accommodate about 10,000 spectators, be within easy reach of an international airport and have enough hotel accommodation for at least 2,000 delegates, journalists and spectators.

Asked if there were any plans for Eurovision related events to coincide with the major competiion, a spokesman for Lincolnshire County Council said the programme for next year was “not finalised” and it was “too early to say”.