Abba's Eurovision plaque revealed at Brighton Dome

Mayor of Brighton Jackie O'Quinn unveiled a blue plaque outside the Dome in Church Street this afternoon to mark the big day.

Abba fans came from across the country - with two superfans travelling from Belgium - to cement the venue's place in pop history.

Mayor of Brighton Jackie O'Quinn after the plaque was unveiled (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

The Swedish group won the contest at the Dome on April 6, 1974, with their hit Waterloo.

Councillor O'Quinn said: "Hosting the contest was seen as an enormous boon for the city.

"There were tense moments in the Abba rehearsals which didn't run smoothly but according to Bjorn, a Dome engineer saved the day."

Abba at the Brighton Dome (Image: free)

The band appeared eighth in the contest line-up and made a lasting impression on the jury.

The song scored 24 points and marked the first Eurovision win for a Scandinavian country.

Abba fans taking a picture of the plaque outside the Dome (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

Cllr O'Quinn watched as the blue curtains were pulled back to reveal the plaque shortly after noon.

It says: "Abba launched their career winning the 19th Eurovision Song Contest for Sweden at Brighton Dome on 6th April 1974."

Frank and Sandra waving the scarf ahead of the big reveal (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

Belgian Abba superfans Sandra Vanoost and Frank Van Hecke brought a commemorative scarf to the unveiling.

Brighton Dome chief executive Andrew Comben was on the stage outside the venue to celebrate the occasion.

He said: "It's really exciting and a moment to celebrate in Brighton's history and Brighton Dome's history, and in Abba's history.

To have that all come together is fantastic and have the blue plaque acknowledging this is fantastic."

Brighton Dome CEO Andrew Comben speaking at the unveiling (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

The unveiling comes after the recent reopening of Brighton Dome’s Grade I and Grade II listed Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre following a major six-year refurbishment. 

Inside the Dome, an interactive digital timeline will allow visitors to explore Brighton Dome’s rich heritage, including the Abba win, and a new dressing room has been named Waterloo.

Crowds packed the pavement to watch the reveal (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

An exhibition at the neighbouring Brighton Museum is bringing together artefacts and people who remember the contest.

The Abba: One Week In Brighton exhibition runs until August 4.

On Saturday, exactly 50 years on from Abba's win, Sweden's 1999 Eurovision winner Charlotte Perrelli will sing Abba hits throughout the night at the Dome.