Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, SVT, the Swedish national broadcaster, have cancelled the tour for a second year running. All six shows will be held in Stockholm, at a yet to be announced venue. Hanna Stjärne, SVT’s Chief Executive Officer, had the following to say:

“Oh how I wish people around the country could have come and watched Melodifestivalen. Everyone who had looked forward to the broadcasts from Malmö, Gothenburg, Lidköping, Linköping and Örnsköldsvik. But the situation is as it is and now we are making the best of the situation. Melodifestivalen is all of Sweden’s party and we will do our utmost to create an exciting TV program that spreads warmth and joy when it is needed most.”

SVT now plan to hold the shows with a restricted audience of 500 members, although production members maybe included within this number. Ticket holders will be contacted by email from the ticket seller shortly, although rumour has it within Swedish media that tickets maybe transferred over to next year.

According to SVT’s Instagram account, there is a glimmer of hope for a full capacity audience, for the Grand Final at Friend’s Arena. This will only be reviewed once the Swedish Government reviews the current Coronavirus restrictions.

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Author: Richard Taylor

Source: SVT