On Tuesday morning, the BBC announced an update on the Eurovision 2023 host city.
speaking on BBC breakfast – the broadcaster’s flagship morning show – presenter Sally Nugent said: “Later today we are awaiting an update from the BBC.”
The BBC news site later built on this, saying that “there will be an update on the shortlist of UK cities that could host the BBC’s Eurovision Song Contest next year. tuesday”.
Many expect officials to reduce the existing shortlist, which currently includes seven cities: Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield.
Rumors circulating on social media suggest that we could see a confrontation in two cities… a kind of second round of elections.
?? ICYMI: Here @scott_mills revealing the seven cities shortlisted to host #Eurovision 2023 in the UK. https://t.co/euDxe9ngA6 pic.twitter.com/DUVYNdHnrR
– wiwibloggs (@wiwibloggs) August 12, 2022
As the UK’s energy crisis spirals out of control and the pound plummets against the dollar, some towns may have reconsidered their bids to host the song contest. Still others face other logistical challenges.
On Monday, bosses at Doncaster Sheffield Airport confirmed it would close after a strategic review concluded the airport was ‘not viable due to its lack of adequate forward revenue and operating costs. ‘high exploitation’.
The BBC is unlikely to announce the actual host city. Several EBU officials are currently in Yerevan, following yesterday’s announcement of the Junior Eurovision 2022 theme slogan and artwork. Several Heads of Delegation, who often also oversee their country’s Eurovision delegation, are also present.
Who will win Eurovision 2023 host city rights?
birmingham
The floating place for birmingham‘s bid, The Resorts World Arena, is located in Solihull and can accommodate up to 15,000 people. The arena is located opposite Resorts World Birmingham, an entertainment complex that houses the largest casino in the UK as well as a shopping mall.
The arena has also hosted major events in recent times including ITV’s Concert for Ukraine in March, BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2010, 2016 and 2018 and the BBC Music Awards in 2015 Earlier this month it hosted the Commonwealth Games.
Glasgow
Reflecting the results of our informal polls on Twitter and YouTube, Glasgow came above our initial Eurovision 2023 host city poll with more than 21% of the votes. The city’s OVO Hydro Arena remains a fan favorite – in part because of its appearance in the Netflix hit Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga — but also because Scotland hasn’t hosted Eurovision since 1972 (and that time it was in Edinburgh). The city proved its ability to organize large-scale events during last year’s COP26 summit.
Leeds
It would be a mistake on our part to talk about the famous Loirs without mentioning those who have graced the Eurovision stage. Leeds even proudly holds a Gold and Silver Songwriting Olympics. Sandra Stevens brought the trophy back to the UK after winning Eurovision 1976 as a member of Brotherhood of Man. A year later, Mike Moran won second place in the 1977 contest alongside his duet partner Lynsey de Paul.
Caroline Barnes put Leeds back on the Eurovision card by representing the UK in 2007 as part of the pop quartet Scooch. We can also thank Leeds for reuniting Czech Eurovision 2022 band We Are Domi – Dominika Hašková, Casper Hatlestad and Benjamin Rekstad met while studying at Leeds College of Music – and the trio have shown their support in bringing Eurovision in Leeds in 2023.
liverpool
Harry Doyle, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Culture and Visitor Economy, said:
“Making a major event like this possible at such short notice is complicated and will require careful and creative planning, but we believe Liverpool would be the perfect stage to celebrate this unique Eurovision.”
The Beatles aren’t Liverpool’s only musical export. As the only UNESCO City of Music in England, Liverpool have been praised for their contributions to the musical arts. Liverpool is home to a wealth of music venues and venues, encompassing genres and styles from around the world. The city’s annual Africa Oyé festival is the country’s biggest celebration of African music, attracting over 50,000 people to Liverpool’s Sefton Park each June. Elsewhere, the city is the playground of many big names in British music, including Cilla Black, Atomic Kitten, The Wombats, Elvis Costello, Echo & The Bunnymen, The Coral and Melanie C of the Spice Girls.
Manchester
It is home to the famous Manchester Arena, which has hosted everyone who is into pop music. The BBC recently moved its Eurovision production center to BBC facilities in Salford, just outside the city. AJ Odudu even delivered all 12 points for the UK in the region last year. Manchester Arena is currently undergoing major renovations, but it’s likely they can find a workaround and put it on hold.
Newcastle
The Utilita Arena Newcastle has a capacity of 11,000 and has hosted global artists such as Janet Jackson, Rihanna, Beyonce and Lady Gaga.
Councilor Alex Hay of Newcastle City Council pointed out The Chronicle that the city wants to show its support for Ukraine, which cannot host the contest due to the ongoing war with Russia.
“We are delighted to apply to host Eurovision 2023 on behalf of Ukraine and stand in solidarity with its people. We are working with partners across the region to help make this a reality for Newcastle, make the Ukraine proud and embody everything that Eurovision stands for.
“We are committed to making Newcastle a better place for our residents and visitors, and hosting Eurovision will be a crucial tool in achieving this.”
Sheffield
Steel City is offering to use the Utilita Sheffield Arena, which has a capacity of around 13,600. Since its opening in 1991, the place has welcomed around 14 million people. This includes many hockey fans: this is where the Sheffield Steelers ice hockey club is located. One Direction actually gave its very last performance here before going on hiatus in 2015. In a statement, the city council said:
“Sheffield stands in solidarity with Ukraine and the people of Ukraine, including those with whom we have long bonded in our sister city Donetsk.”
“Sheffield has a reputation for hosting major international events – most recently UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, as well as hosting the World Snooker Championship for over 45 years. Later this year, Sheffield will host the Rugby World Cup, as well as the prestigious figure skating grand prize, the MK John Wilson Trophy.
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