🇬🇧 Bristol and Newcastle submit bids to host Eurovision 2023

As Eurovision 2023 begins to edge ever closer, the cities of Bristol and Newcastle are the latest cities to formally submit their interest to host next year’s Contest.

What Bristol and Newcastle have to offer

Bristol and Newcastle have since joined a host of other UK cities vying to bring the Eurovision Song Contest to their doorstep. However, both Bristol and Newcastle have taken different approaches to their initial campaign.

Bristol

The city of Bristol, located in the southwest of England, on the south side of the River Avon, formally declared it would be submitting a bid to bring Eurovision to the city. In a video posted onto his official Facebook account, the Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees said that Bristol would make a viable candidate for Eurovision 2023. In the video, Mr Rees gave his personal sympathies to Ukraine, following the EBU’s decision to revoke its hosting rights ahead of the 2023 Contest.

Mr Rees added that Bristol Council was already in talks to hold Eurovision 2023 at the Brabazon Hangars, which will be the future site of the YTL Arena. The arena would have a full capacity of around 17,000 people. He said that “Bristol has the perfect site, where we can custom-build the perfect Eurovision Song Contest”. The video was also broadcast during Bristol Pride, ahead of a performance by headlining act Carly Rae Jepsen.

Newcastle

Similarly, the city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, situated in the north east of England, also said that they are preparing a bid to host Eurovision 2023. The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported in mid-July that the local Council was exploring the feasibility of bringing Eurovision to Newcastle.

Speaking to the local Newcastle Chronicle, Councillor Alex Hay, cabinet member responsible for tourism, said that it would be fantastic to show Newcastle’s potential to the wider world. He added:

Obviously it would be wonderful to host Eurovision and we believe that Newcastle would be a perfect host city. We are looking forward to hearing more about the bidding process and are already working with partners to explore the opportunity.

Cllr Alex Hay, Cabinet Member for Tourism at Newcastle-upon-Tyne Council

No specific arena has been selected for Newcastle’s bid. However, the largest arena that could meet the EBU’s requirements would be the Utilita Arena, based on the banks of the River Tyne. With a capacity of 11,000 people for concerts, the arena would be the more logical choice. A new arena costing £300 million is being built on the other side of the river; however, the Contest would come too soon for this to be counted as a viable option.

It should also be noted that whilst the EBU confirmed Ukraine would not host Eurovision 2023, the Union has not yet confirmed whether the UK will become the host country for next year’s competition.

United Kingdom’s Eurovision journey

Despite a recent slump in results, the UK is one of the most successful countries at the Eurovision Song Contest. Debuting at the second edition ever of the Contest in 1957, the United Kingdom has won the competition on five separate occasions. The most recent win for the UK was in 1997 with Katrina and the Waves, singing “Love Shine A Light”. The UK also holds the record for the number of second place finishes – currently at 16.

In 2022, the UK was represented by Sam Ryder with his song “SPACE MAN”. The performance managed to impress juries and televoters, and the UK finished in second place with 466 points, their best placing since 1998.

What do you make of Bristol and Newcastle’s bids? Do you think either city will be able to win the right to host Eurovision next year? Where would you like to see the Contest held in 2023? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow “That Eurovision Site” on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter as we begin preparations for Eurovision 2023!

News Source: Chronicle Live / Marvin Rees

Photo Credit: Hotels.com / StormGeo