The European Broadcasting Union has confirmed that the Eurovision Super Games will not be created due to financial difficulties.
The EBU confirmed in their annual report that the proposed Eurovision Super Games will not take place despite support from a number of member broadcasters. A total of 12 member broadcasters were involved in the project, however despite the efforts of the involved broadcasters financial support for the event could not be secured.
Eurovision Super Games was first presented to European Broadcasting Union members in July 2016, with plans for the first contest to take place in 2017. Eurovision Super Games would have brought together eight countries to be represented by four athletes each in a challenging game of physical and mental challenges. The format would have seen the public at home in each country select two of their four participating athletes to compete in the next set of challenges.
Had Eurovision Super Games been launched it would have been the first major sport entertainment show organised by the EBU since Jeux Sans Frontières in 1999. Jeux Sans Frontières was held between 1965 and 1999 and featured teams from EBU member countries competing in odd tasks during a series of games. The contest was also spun off into domestic formats in a number of countries including Australia and the United Kingdom. The contest was planned to be held again in 2007 however the cost of the contest saw planned countries withdrawing. Overall 20 countries competed in the contest at least once including Tunisia, France, San Marino, Italy and the United Kingdom.
You may also be interested to find out more about other shows and contests planned by the EBU that didn’t take place, such as:
- Eurovision Talent Contest – Planned as the sixth spin off Eurovision event to be hosted in Russia
- Test the Song Contest – Game show pitting the European public against each other in their Eurovision knowledge
Ohhh such a shame. I’d have loved it <3 😀
Bad idea to begin with. Folly, at worst. Besides, they have their plate full with the other Eurovision contests (Senior, Junior, Choir, Young Dancers, etc.).