Quick Answer
Yes, Americans can purchase tickets to attend the Eurovision Song Contest live. However, availability and the ticket buying process can vary depending on the host city and year. Generally, tickets are sold through the official Eurovision website and local ticketing partners. As Eurovision is primarily targeted towards European audiences, tickets are usually available to European residents first before opening up to other global fans. Americans interested in attending will need to plan ahead and be flexible.
What is the Eurovision Song Contest?
The Eurovision Song Contest, often simply called Eurovision, is an annual singing competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union. It has been held every year since 1956 and attracts a television audience of hundreds of millions internationally. Countries submit original songs performed live on television and radio to be voted on by viewers and professional juries from participating countries. The winning country hosts the event the following year.
Eurovision is known for its unique voting system, iconic pop music, passionate national rivalries, and flamboyant performances. Some of the most famous Eurovision winners include ABBA (Sweden, 1974) and Celine Dion (Switzerland, 1988). Although Americans have traditionally had little exposure to Eurovision, the contest has grown in popularity and gained more of a global audience in recent decades.
When and where is Eurovision held?
The Eurovision Song Contest is held annually in May. It lasts for approximately one week, with two semi-finals held on Tuesday and Thursday and the grand final held on Saturday evening. The host city changes each year, located within the winning country from the previous year’s contest.
Recent and upcoming host cities include:
- 2022 – Turin, Italy
- 2023 – Liverpool, United Kingdom
- 2024 – TBD (will be in Ukraine if they are able to host)
The venue itself varies but is typically a large concert hall or arena that can accommodate thousands of attendees and the staging requirements of the televised program. For example, the 2022 contest was held at the PalaOlimpico arena in Turin, with a capacity of 12,500 people.
Who is eligible to buy Eurovision tickets?
Tickets to the live shows of Eurovision are primarily allocated based on which country you reside in. When tickets first go on sale, priority is given to residents of the host country. A second phase of tickets is then offered to residents of all the countries participating in that year’s contest. How many tickets are allotted per country can vary.
A third phase of ticket sales may open up any remaining tickets to a global audience. It is during this phase that Americans and other non-European residents would typically be able to purchase tickets. However, availability is not guaranteed and often limited.
Some exceptions exist if the host city or venue has geographic restrictions or requirements. For example, Ukraine limits ticket sales to Ukrainian residents only due to security measures and demand.
When do Eurovision tickets go on sale?
Ticket sales for Eurovision generally open in multiple phases, beginning around 6 months before the live shows. Here is an approximate timeline:
- Host country resident tickets: On sale 7-8 months before the contest
- Participating country tickets: On sale 5-6 months before the contest
- Global/non-participating country tickets: Sometimes released 2-3 months before the contest, but not guaranteed
So for Eurovision 2023 taking place in May, the first ticketing phase opened in October 2022. Future phases will open between January and March 2023.
Again, as an American, the best chance to access tickets will be during the potential global ticket sales period. But nothing may be left at that point, so it requires planning ahead and flexibility.
How can Americans buy Eurovision tickets?
If you are an American hoping to attend Eurovision, here are some tips to get tickets:
- Check the official Eurovision website and sign up for ticket alerts to stay on top of announcements
- Follow fan sites and forums like EurovisionWorld to find tips on buying tickets
- Consider travel packages from American tour companies like Eurovision Tickets World that include accommodation and tickets
- Team up with a European friend who can buy tickets in an early pre-sale window and transfer one to you
- Use a VPN and European address to access earlier ticket sales (although this violates terms in most cases)
- Consider last minute resales but beware of scams and inflated prices
- Be flexible on which specific shows you want to attend, as the grand final sells out first
Perseverance, planning ahead, flexibility, and luck are all helpful to find affordable tickets as an American fan. The good news is that if you do manage to get tickets, you’ll have a one-of-a-kind Eurovision experience!
How much do Eurovision tickets cost?
Eurovision ticket prices can vary greatly depending on the venue capacity and host city demand each year. For reference, here are the starting prices in euros for tickets to the 2022 contest in Turin, Italy:
Show | Ticket Price |
---|---|
1st Semi-Final | €20 |
2nd Semi-Final | €20 |
Jury Grand Final | €150 |
Live TV Grand Final | €150 |
Addition factors like assigned seat locations, VIP packages, and inflated resale prices can drive costs up significantly for the popular grand final. Budget at least $200-300 per ticket if planning to attend the finals.
Compared to major U.S. entertainment events, Eurovision ticket costs are generally more affordable overall, especially for semi-final access. But airfare to Europe and local accommodation during a peak tourist season can add up quickly.
Where can Americans buy Eurovision tickets?
The primary source for official Eurovision tickets is through the European Broadcasting Union’s ticketing partner. This vendor varies year-to-year but is linked via the official Eurovision website once sales open.
For 2023, the United Kingdom’s ticketing site Ticketmaster is selling the tickets for the Liverpool contests. Only residents with UK or other European addresses could make purchases during the initial phases. Additional countries may be allowed as the global sale window gets closer.
Some Americans are still able to purchase via Ticketmaster using a VPN or European address of a friend or family member. However, this does violate the ticket terms in most cases. Tickets purchased this way risk cancellation or not being honored at the venue if discovered.
Secondary markets and resellers like Stubhub may also have Eurovision tickets later on. But these often come at hugely inflated prices and carry risks of fraud. Official routes are best when available to Americans.
When is the deadline to buy tickets?
Each ticket phase has its own sales window that closes once all tickets are sold out. The global ticket phase typically ends 1-2 months before the live shows unless inventory remains. Given the high demand, tickets often sell out quickly once a new phase opens.
It’s advisable to check for and purchase tickets promptly after a new window opens. Signing up for ticket alerts can help you be notified as soon as sales begin. Waiting until close to the event risks missing out on inventory.
However, last minute ticket releases or production holds do happen, so it can occasionally pay off to keep checking even if “sold out”. Any remaining tickets or cancelled production holds tend to get grabbed up immediately.
What are the biggest obstacles for Americans buying tickets?
For American fans hoping to attend Eurovision, getting access to tickets poses some key challenges:
- Limited inventory – Only around 10,000 tickets per show are available in the arena venues
- High local demand – Host cities fill up fast with domestic and nearby European fans
- Sale restrictions – Americans have last priority for online sales windows
- Travel planning – Going to Europe in May is expensive, especially on short notice
- Ticket resale restrictions – Many tickets cannot legally be resold or transferred
Overcoming these obstacles takes determination, planning, and flexibility. The payoff of experiencing Eurovision live often makes it worthwhile for American superfans. But managing expectations and budget is also important given the challenges.
Tips for Americans trying to get Eurovision tickets
Based on the obstacles and ticket sale process, here are some top tips for Americans trying to purchase Eurovision tickets:
- Start planning and budgeting early, ideally over a year in advance
- Be ready to buy tickets the moment your eligibility window opens
- Sign up for pre-registrations and alerts far in advance of sales
- Consider travel package deals that include guaranteed tickets
- Follow fan forums to find tips and community assistance
- Have a back-up plan or watch parties in case tickets don’t work out
- Accept that you still may not manage to get tickets in the end
While not easy, it is possible for Americans to share in the magical Eurovision live experience with the right preparation and persistence. The effort to get there usually pays off many times over.
Conclusion
The Eurovision Song Contest has grown from a European tradition into a globally beloved phenomenon. This leaves many American fans eager to attend the live shows and participate in the excitement.
While Americans can now purchase tickets to Eurovision, availability is still primarily focused on European audiences. Some obstacles exist around sales restrictions, limited tickets, and high demand.
With proper planning and patience, it is possible for Americans to obtain tickets to Eurovision. Compromises on travel dates, show options, and budget may be necessary. But determined fans are still able to get to Eurovision and enjoy live performances from around the world.
At its core, Eurovision is about bringing people together through music. That spirit of unity extends to welcoming more fans from the United States and beyond joining the Eurovision family each year.