Eurovision fans who booked accommodation prior to ticket sales have shared an update on their May plans.
The Eurovision season unofficially kicks off when the host city is announced, with hundreds flocking to book their accommodation. The Liverpool contest saw people locked out of a stay after hotels hiked up their prices to eye-watering amounts, hoping to cash in on the event.
It didn't stop die-hard fans as many still booked well in advance despite tickets nowhere to be seen at the time. After today's madness, which saw checkouts for all nine shows stand at a minimum of 2000 people in the queue, we caught up with the fans who told us they booked their hotels months ago and whether or not they managed to find tickets.
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Die-hard fan Jenny Shevlin booked a handful of hotels long before it was confirmed to be housed in Liverpool. She used Booking.com's free cancellation policy to scrap the remaining stays, leaving herself with a cosy accommodation still in place in Liverpool's Leonardo Hotel.
The 30-year-old previously told the Liverpool Echo she'd live it up in one of the city's many events during Eurovision season regardless of tickets but after today's madness, she can't help but feel disappointed.
She said: "I didn't get any tickets - absolutely gutted! There were three of us trying and unfortunately, none of us were successful. I'm going to wait and see what the details are on the fan zone and take it from there!"
Aisling Hannon, 28, is one of the lucky few who managed to get exactly what she hoped for. She bagged herself a steal at Liverpool Central Travelodge for only £300 months ago and has every intention of making it a week to remember after securing tickets as soon as they went on sale.
She said: "I had the Ticketmaster app open on my phone from about 11 am waiting in the queue, and as soon as they went on sale, I was offered tickets straight away.
"Maybe it was easier as I was getting one ticket, I'm not sure, but I went straight for the final rather than the other shows on offer. I have my hotel room secured from a while ago. The last thing to do is book the train - which I heard has suddenly gone very costly!
She added: "I'm really looking forward to it, it'll be my first Eurovision experience and I'm sure Liverpool will put on an incredible show!"
Mary-Jo Brayford is a contributor to Phoenix ESC - a Eurovision fansite - who managed to find a bargain three-person room for £150 at the StayCity Aparthotel. Before confirming her booking in the city, she and her friends secured a backup in Scotland during the UK's bidding city process.
She tackled the checkout alongside her friends to ensure at least someone managed to break through the queue of thousands. She said: "My friends and I ended up setting up a buddy system where groups of us wanting the same shows all tried for tickets together.
"I ended up managing to get four of us hospitality tickets for Monday's evening preview of the first semi-final after not being able to find seating or standing tickets. We wanted to try for the jury final too but they sold out.
"I'm just chuffed to get to watch one, especially the semi with a lot of songs I love. I'll still be going along at the weekend to experience things like the EuroVillage and I'm just so excited to get there now!"
Tim Jumawan is another fan who managed to bag tickets. The 27-year-old paid £1,171 for his accommodation at StayCity Aparthotels but fell short of obtaining tickets for the broadcast finals.
He said: "I managed to get tickets for the evening preview shows with my friends. For the live shows, I will most likely go to Euroclub or EuroVillage to watch them."
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