🇬🇧 Liverpool to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest

The BBC, in conjunction with the EBU, has revealed that Liverpool will be hosting the 67th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest.

Details of Eurovision 2023 Revealed

Longtime BBC Eurovision commentator Graham Norton appeared on The One Show this evening to reveal that Eurovision 2023 will be held in Liverpool’s M&S Bank arena. The BBC will be hosting the contest in conjunction with UA:PBC on behalf of Ukraine, who won Eurovision 2022 with Kalush Orchestra’s “Stefania”.

The official dates for the contest have also been revealed, and they are:

• Semi-Final One: Tuesday 9th May
• Semi-Final Two: Thursday 11th May
• Grand Final: Saturday 13th May

Additionally, Graham revealed that the two semi-finals will be broadcast on BBC One for the first time. In the past, the semi-finals had variously been broadcast on BBC Two, BBC Four, and most recently on BBC Three in 2022.

“Liverpool has a fantastic venue, a beautiful backdrop of a city with a rich history of music, and a cultural offer that puts Ukraine at the heart of next year’s Song Contest”

Upon the reveal of Liverpool being the Host City for next year’s competition, key people who are involved in the planning in the organization had the following to say about Liverpool’s hosting of the competition.

Tim Davie, the Director General of the BBC had the following to say:

Congratulations to Liverpool. They will be an amazing host for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. Liverpool is such an exciting, warm and vibrant city. It’s the undisputed capital of pop music and is celebrating the 65th anniversary of its twinning with the Ukrainian city of Odesa. I know the people of Liverpool will welcome Europe – and the rest of the world – with open arms, and in partnership we will create something truly special

Kate Phillips, BBC’s director for Unscripted Content has mentioned:

We are delighted to be working with Liverpool to host the Eurovision Song Contest next year, on behalf of Ukraine. Liverpool, and the BBC, will do everything to ensure that this special occasion, fully reflects Ukrainian culture, music and communities. We will absolutely get this right. I’m also thrilled that both Semi-Finals and the Grand Final will be shown to UK audiences live on BBC One

Phil Harrold, the Chair of the BBC’s Host City Selection Committee has mentioned:

We had incredible bids from across the UK. To win under such tough competition shows just how strong Liverpool’s bid is. I want to thank all the cities that bid to host the Song Contest, on behalf of Ukraine. While there could only be one host, the quality of the bids shows just how much the UK has to offer.

EBU’s Executive Supervisor Martin Österdahl had the following to say:

Liverpool is the ideal place to host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine.

The city is synonymous with music and Liverpool Arena exceeds all the requirements needed to stage a global event of this scale. We have been very impressed with the passion the city has shown in embracing the Contest and their inclusive ideas for placing last year’s winners, Ukraine, front and centre when thousands of fans visit next May.

EBU Director General Noel Curran had the following to say:

This will be the first Eurovision Song Contest to be held in the UK in 25 years and, as we work with our Host Broadcaster, the BBC, to celebrate Ukraine’s victory, this unique production promises to be a very special one indeed

Mykola Chernotytskyi, the Head of the Managing Board of Suspilne Ukraine had the following to say:

It is symbolic that the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Liverpool, a twin city of our Odesa. The organisation of a contest of this level sets super demanding requirements. I am confident that the city recognised as the capital of pop music will meet them in the best way and will deliver the celebration of music that will amaze both delegations and fans of Eurovision

Seven cities were shortlisted for next year’s competition

20 cities in total submitted expressions of interest! All expressions of interest involved discussions of how Ukrainian influences would be incorporated into their hosting. The seven cities that were in the running were:

• Birmingham
• Glasgow
• Leeds
• Liverpool
• Manchester
• Newcastle
• Sheffield

On the 27th of September, the BBC reduced the shortlist to two cities, Glasgow and Liverpool, with the latter being successful in winning the bid.

In the meantime, check out our very own Rory’s video tour of Liverpool!

Did the organizers pick the right Host City for Eurovision 2023? Will you be attending next year’s competition? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow “That Eurovision Site on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Tik-Tok as we gear up for Eurovision 2023!

News Source: EBU/BBC

Photo Credit: EBU