Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Turin in 2022

Lead vocalist Damiano David, left, and guitarist Thomas Raggi, right, of the Eurovision Song Contest winning band Maneskin from Italy perform during the rehearsal for the final of the Eurovision Song Contest at Ahoy arena in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Friday, May 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
Maneskin won the 2021 competition. (AP)

The 2022 Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Turin, it has been announced.

There had been plenty of speculation about where next year’s event would be held, with 16 competing bids.

It has now been confirmed that the competition is returning to Italy after being won by rock band Maneskin this year.

It was previously held in the country in 1991 (Rome) and 1965 (Naples).

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Eurovision executive supervisor Martin Osterdahl said: “Turin is the perfect Host City for the 66th Eurovision Song Contest.

“As we saw during the 2006 Winter Olympics, PalaOlimpico exceeds all the requirements needed to stage a global event of this scale and we have been very impressed with the enthusiasm and commitment from the City of Turin who will welcome thousands of fans next May.

"This will be the first Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Italy in 30 years and, together with our host broadcaster Rai, we are determined to make it a special one."

Bill Bailey previously said he fancied a go at Eurovision. (PA)
Bill Bailey previously said he fancied a go at Eurovision. (PA)

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The 2022 event will be held at Turin’s Pala Alpitour arena (which was formerly known as the PalaOlimpico) in May.

While it is still early days, comedian Bill Bailey has previously said he wouldn’t mind giving Eurovision a try.

After a low point at the 2021 contest, when the UK finished in last place, he offered to try and rescue our Eurovision reputation in 2022.

"I’d be happy to throw my hat in the ring for #Eurovision 2022,” he tweeted.

Watch: Eurovision stars Maneskin talk sexuality and creative freedom