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Now That Malta’s Apparently Winning Eurovision, Here Are Seven Places We Can Host 2022 From

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Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last couple of weeks, Malta seems to be on its way to maybe, actually, finally winning its first-ever Eurovision Song Contest.

Of course, we’ve been here before countless times before, but the tiny Mediterranean island has never sat on the top of the usually-precise bookmakers’ lists before, and for so long at that (shocking pink dresses aside).

So now that we could very well end up hosting the massive European contest next year, it’s time to start considering the elephant in the room; where would we even host it??

Known for extravagant dos held in massive arenas, Eurovision’s motto has always been “more is more”. But even at just under 30 kilometres’ worth of land, we reckon Malta has a couple of interesting choices to consider for its 2022 venue. These are seven of them.

1. Ta’ Qali’s MFCC

OK, let’s get the obvious one out of the way.

Easily the largest and most versatile indoor space in the country, the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre has proven to be a blank canvas for so many different events over the years.

From national conventions and exhibitions to every season of Malta’s Got Talent and X Factor, the MFCC has what it takes to help the nation organise the behemoth contest, and will very likely be the venue of choice for Eurovision 2022.

But we’re not here to just talk about “very likely”. We’re here to look at some more left-field, out-of-the-box, or even downright divisive venues.

So have a pinch of salt at the ready and buckle up.

2. Fosos

If there’s one thing that shines bright in every edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, it’s each year’s hosting country. Everything from national colours and cultural themes to traditional food and iconic landmarks is given a once-in-a-lifetime continental stage to shine bright… and the hosts rarely disappoint in flaunting the best of what they can offer.

And what’s more traditional and worthy of flaunting than Floriana’s Granaries, affectionately known by islanders as il-Fosos?

Situated just outside the imposingly beautiful parish church of Saint Publius and basking in the shadow of the UNESCO World Heritage Site that is Malta’s capital Valletta, this stretch of land can easily host over 50,000 people. Everything from political mass meetings and MTV summer festivals to a papal visit has been organised here… and the late May balmy weather could do for a weird but wonderful break in tradition for an outdoor venue.

We should probably give the winning country the opportunity to leave before everyone else though, because getting stuck in a two hours’ worth of traffic would kinda dampen the mood.

3. The Mediterranean Conference Centre

Speaking of Valletta, here’s a blast from the past that actually holds a lot of Eurovision history.

Before the MFCC was unveiled in 2006, Valletta’s Mediterranean Conference Centre hosted many a music festival… including the Malta Song Contest, the annual event which would determine the island’s representative.

This is where Malta first fell in love with Chiara, Ira and so many other contestants we hoped would bring it home, so it would be symbolic to return here after Destiny finally does so.

Plus hey; think of all the jokes the host could make about every single time we thought we’d win but didn’t because of all those pesky neighbours. Europe, welcome to your roast.

4. Gianpula / Numero Uno

With Malta’s Silent City and old capital city Mdina hovering just over them, Gianpula and Numero Uno have gone from two of the island’s staple clubbing destinations to absolute forces to be reckoned with. Boasting a number of clubs and open-air spaces, they’ve become small villages in their own rights… and they’ve both been equipped over the years with only one thing in mind: bringing large amounts of people together to party.

Whether it’s the sprawling festival fields of Gianpula or the maze of high-tech clubs at Uno, here are two viable contenders for either the contest itself or one unforgettable afterparty. Choosing between them would be pretty tough.

Unless – hear me out here – Malta chooses both venues and every performance is streamed live from a different club. It’s crazy, but it might just work. Besides, this is Eurovision; crazier things have been attempted and pulled off before.

5. Aria Complex

Technically a little smaller than some of its venue-brothers on this list, Aria has managed to host a number of massive events over the years, including some of the largest rock bands to have visited Malta in the last decade… and Gigi D’Agostino, of course.

And hey; for all those alt kids who feel guilty about wanting to attend, maybe a dark Eurovision afterparty at Liquid next door could convince them to come out of their caves.

6. Gozo

Want to know what a boss move looks like? A tiny island winning the Eurovision Song Contest… and then hosting it all from the archipelago’s little sister.

While logistics suddenly get much harder (three-hour traffic jams to board the ferry, anyone?!), there’s no better way to show off everything the islands have to offer than welcoming arriving visitors at the southern tip of Malta, only to usher them all the way up north in a cross-country trip.

Venue choices get even more limited here, but maybe a fully specced-out arena is the grand Azure Window 2.0 news we didn’t know we wanted? Just brace yourselves for all the Game of Thrones mentions.

Westeros, Douze Points!

Westeros, Douze Points!

7. Ta’ Qali National Stadium

OK, hear me out.

It’s a large open-air space that has seating all around the perimeter but can be added at will in the middle.

Need lighting? No stress, faqqalu floodlight!

Also, it lends itself for more perfectly-placed symbolism: “Good evening Europe. Tonight, we come to you from the heart of Malta’s stage for football – another competitive activity we absolutely love following but have kinda been shit at for the last couple of decades. Well well, look how the tables have turned.”

BONUS: Comino

Let’s face it; if Malta really had to win this year’s Eurovision, next year is going to be a logistical nightmare no matter what. And it’ll probably end up being a charming flop which we can hopefully end up turning to our favour.

So if we’re going hard – and probably creating a national nightmare all in the name of Europe-wide exposure – maybe we really should go all the way.

Maybe after this whole pandemic ordeal, 2022 is the year we all reevaluate what it means to host the Eurovision and learn a lesson or two from the tiny island of Malta with a humble edition. A smaller stage, a much smaller audience, an eco-friendly temporary structure, and all the free gorgeous views you could ever hope for.

Because there’s no better time and place to show everyone that less really is more.

Aerial photo by Sudika

Aerial photo by Sudika

Featured Image Original Photo from Stadiumdb.com

What do you make of this? Let us know in the comments below

READ NEXT: Malta’s Eurovision ‘Almost Wins’ Make Us The Most Successful Non-Winning Country Ever

Lovin Malta's Head of Content, Dave has been in journalism for the better half of the last decade. Prefers Instagram, but has been known to doomscroll on TikTok. Loves chicken, women's clothes and Kanye West (most of the time).

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