Liverpool has been announced as the lucky UK city to host Eurovision next year.
The UK is hosting the song contest on behalf of Ukraine who won the competition in May this year.
The competition sparked interest from 20 cities across the UK, with several cities initially shortlisted as potential hosts. Last week two cities remained, Glasgow and Liverpool; each eager to have the iconic song contest come to their city. Both bid to honour Ukrainian culture and music throughout.
But Liverpool won the bid, as revealed by Graham Norton on The One Show last week. The BBC worked closely with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), assessing both cities before deciding on Liverpool as the Host.
Although the winning country usually hosts the next competition it was decided that, due to the ongoing war with Russia, that runners-up Britain, would take over hosting duties.
Eurovision 2023 Venue
Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena, will host three live Eurovision events. Two semi-finals on May 9 and 11, before the main competition which will take place on May 13.
The venue has capacity for 11,000 people and is situated in the heart of Liverpool– the 2008 European capital of culture winner.
Liverpool the “Ideal Place”
Martin Österdahl, Eurovision Song Contest Executive Supervisor, said: “Liverpool is the ideal place to host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine.” He continued: “The city is synonymous with music and Liverpool Arena exceeds all the requirements needed to stage a global event of this scale.”
Needless to say, Liverpudlians are celebrating this huge win for their city.
Sky News documented the win in Masquerade Bar, speaking to the manager. Gethin Mullock, who looked forward to the boost the competition will bring, said: “It’s definitely something that will come to not just this bar, but all the bars in the area, we’re so excited for it.”
