Liverpool has been chosen as the Host City of the 67th Eurovision Song Contest. Here's everything you need to know about one of the most long-standing and eagerly-awaited shows on the planet.
Where Eurovision 2023 will take place has been publicized by the BBC, according to Wigan Today.
Shortlisted cities to host Eurovision
In honor of the war-stricken Ukraine, it was announced in July that the UK will host the event. The Eurovision Song Contest was last held in the United Kingdom in 1997, marking the event's ninth visit to the country. Martin Österdahl, the Eurovision executive supervisor, said:
‘We’re exceptionally grateful that the BBC has accepted to stage the Eurovision Song Contest in the UK in 2023’.
The initial list of the UK cities that were to compete to have a hosting position was announced by Zoe Ball and Scott Mills in August. The names revealed were Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, and Sheffield.
The host city of the @BBCEurovision Song Contest 2023, on behalf of Ukraine, will be announced on @BBCTheOneShow tonight!
— BBC (@BBC) October 7, 2022
Tune in at 7pm on @BBCOne & @BBCiPlayer to find out if it's #Glasgow or #Liverpool! #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/1olSXbdzcY
According to Mills, she believed that those cities were eligible to be in charge of the event with their ‘capability and capacity’, mentioning their ‘passion’, which was necessary when it comes to celebrating Eurovision.
Glasgow vs Liverpool as final shortlists
Following this stage, Eurovision 2023 was confirmed last month to be staged in either Glasgow or Liverpool. Both are Unesco cities of music, and the chosen location will attract thousands of visitors and be in the global spotlight, with around 160 million TV viewers around the world watching this year's show live. Liverpool's leaders have said they would host the event ‘on behalf of Ukraine’, while a Glasgow spokesperson said a Scottish Eurovision would also be ‘a celebration of Ukraine’.
However, the song contest will be held in Liverpool - the home city of legend band Beatles, it was revealed on Friday, October 7's broadcast of The One Show. Previewing the announcement, BBC Radio 2's Ken Bruce said:
‘The finish line is finally in sight, because I can confirm that on the One Show tonight, Graham Norton will finally reveal which city will be hosting the Eurovision Song Contest’.
Liverpool was chosen following a strong city bid process that examined facilities at the venue, the ability to accommodate thousands of visiting delegations, crew, fans, and journalists, infrastructure, and the cultural offer of the Host City in reflecting Ukraine’s win in 2022, amongst other criteria.
#Liverpool, we're going out out!
— Liverpool City Council (@lpoolcouncil) October 7, 2022
The hard work starts here to make #eurovision2023 bid ideas a reality. Can’t wait!@EBU_HQ | @Eurovision | @BBCTheOneShow | @CultureLpool |@VisitLiverpool pic.twitter.com/1084pmPkfb
'A welcoming city with a proud musical heritage, Liverpool will put on an unforgettable show which celebrates the rich culture and creativity of Ukraine,' tweeted British Prime Minister Liz Truss.
It was the contestant Kalush Orchestra that came in first place in the competition for Ukraine in May with an impressive amount of support and love from the public. Meanwhile, Sam Ryder, who represented the UK, ranked second.
However, Eurovision's governing board, the Reference Group, has now decided that ‘given the current circumstances, the security and operational guarantees required for a broadcaster to host, organize and produce the Eurovision Song Contest under the ESC Rules cannot be fulfilled’.
When is Eurovision's grand final?
According to the Mirror, the 2023 Eurovision Grand Final will take place on Saturday, May 13. The final show will be super amazing, including songs from contestants and the crowning of the winner.
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