Over twenty cities applied, seven were shortlisted by the BBC and two qualified for the final showdown. But in the end it’s liverpool which will host the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. All performances will take place inside the M&S Bank Arena.
Longtime BBC Eurovision commentator Graham Norton made the announcement Friday night during an appearance on The only show.
Semi-final 1: May 9, 2023
Semi-final 2: May 11, 2023
Grand Final: May 13, 2023
For audiences in the UK, and for the first time, the two semi-finals on Tuesday 9 and Thursday 11 May and the grand final will all be shown live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Liverpool is the host city of Eurovision 2023
BBC Director General Tim Davie said:
“Congratulations to Liverpool. They will be an amazing host for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. Liverpool is an exciting, warm and vibrant city. It is the undisputed capital of pop music and is celebrating the 65th anniversary of its twinning with the city from Odessa. 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.”
Martin Österdahl, Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest, said:
“Liverpool is the perfect place to host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine.”
“The city is synonymous with music and Liverpool Arena exceeds all requirements necessary to stage a global event of this scale. We were very impressed with the passion the city has shown in embracing the competition and their inclusive ideas to put last year’s winners, Ukraine, front and center when thousands of fans turn out next May.
“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 really very special.”
Kate Phillips, BBC’s Director of Unscripted Content, said: “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 succeed. I am also delighted that the semi-finals and the grand final will be shown to UK audiences live on BBC One.
Phil Harrold, Chairman of the BBC Host Cities Selection Committee, said: “We have had some amazing offers from across the UK. Winning in such tough competition shows how strong Liverpool’s bid is. I would like to thank all the cities that offered to host the song contest, on behalf of Ukraine. Although there may only be one host, the quality of the offerings shows just how much the UK has to offer.
About Liverpool
It gave the world the Beatles and now Liverpool are ready to host the world for Eurovision 2023.
Its M&S Bank Arena has a capacity of 11,000 and sits on the beautiful River Mersey, providing some calm for stressed artists and their delegations. The venue is close to the city’s healthy hotel base and a large conference center, meaning all amenities — from transportation to restaurants — are within walking distance.
The @eurovision the auction is on and it’s almost decision time. We will soon find out if #Liverpool was chosen to host #Eurovision2023 in solidarity with #Ukraine.
Regardless of the outcome, we are honored that the entire city region and beyond supported our bid. pic.twitter.com/7n2nf5CxjE
— Liverpool City Council (@lpoolcouncil) September 22, 2022
The most iconic quartet in British history – John, Paul, George and Ringo – hail from Liverpool, which the city nodded to in their lovely Eurovision bid video above. The band formed in town in the 1960s, playing gigs at the famous Cavern Club on Mathew Street and various smaller venues across what was then part of Lancashire. The Liverpool guys went on to score 17 number one singles and 15 number one albums in the UK, as well as 20 Billboard Hot 100 number one singles in the US.
Of course, the music scene is very varied. As the only UNESCO City of Music in England, Liverpool have been praised for their contributions to the musical arts. The city’s annual Africa Oyé festival is the biggest celebration of African music in the country, attracting over 50,000 people to Liverpool’s Sefton Park each June. Elsewhere, the city has helped nurture countless other 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.
Are you delighted that Liverpool are hosting Eurovision 2023? Did you feel like this was going to happen all along? Let us know in the comments box below!
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