The preliminary dates for the forthcoming 2017 Eurovision Song Contest have been changed from the initial ones announced last March.

The Ukrainian national broadcaster has revealed today that is has it changed the preliminary dates for the forthcoming 2017 Eurovision Song Contest to a week earlier than the initially announced dates.

New Preliminary dates:

Tuesday 09 May- Semi-final 1

Thursday 11 May- Semi-final 2

Saturday 13 May- Grand Final

The former preliminary dates for Eurovision 2017 were set on 16, 18 and 20 May by the EBU last March, but now have been changed. The definite dates for the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest will be confirmed once the host city is selected. The official announcement of the 2017 ESC entry is expected to take place by August.

The 2017 Eurovision host city bidding race has kicked off in Ukraine. The Ukrainian host broadcaster NTU has published the requirements for hosting the event today.