Liverpool and Glasgow are the two cities remaining in the running to host the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023. The two cities were chosen after Birmingham, Leeds, Newcastle, Sheffield and Manchester withdrew from the competition to host the music festival. The BBC said a final decision would be made “within weeks”.
The Ukrainian group Kalush Orkestra won the 2022 competition in Turin, Italy, which would have made Ukraine the host of 2023. However, the EBU decided that the competition should not be held in Ukraine due to the situation with Russia. Great Britain, who came second with Sam Ryder’s Space Man, was asked to host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest. In August, a list of 20 UK cities that had submitted an “expression of interest” was published by the BBC. The requirements for the cities included “a suitable location and sufficient space to meet the requirements of the song contest,” the necessary commitment to the contest including a financial contribution. Also “alignment with the BBC’s strategic priorities as a public service broadcaster”. Of course there was a reaction from Mayor Joanne Anderson who added on twitter:
“Absolutely delighted #Liverpool has been shortlisted for Eurovision 2023. Nowhere does a party like us. The people, communities and businesses of our city are ready to put on a show for Ukraine, the UK and Europe. Eurovision in Liverpool.”
