Eurovision 2023: City reacts as Liverpool announced as UK Host City finalist

Either Liverpool or Glasgow will host Eurovision 2023, cutting the shortlist down from seven to just two cities.

The BBC has said that both cities had ‘the strongest overall offer’ and will be announcing the final winner in the coming weeks.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said the city is ‘ready to roll the red carpet out for a Eurovision celebration that the world will never forget’.

Liverpool’s reaction to Eurovision

Mayor of Liverpool, Joanne Anderson said: “We all know our city is great at hosting big events – nobody throws a party like Liverpool – and the judges at Eurovision agree.

“From The Beatles, to Cream, to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra – Liverpool always moves to its own beat – and hosting Eurovision would write a brand-new chapter in our musical heritage.

“In the short term however, it will be a huge boost to the local economy and will also provide a platform to sustain jobs well into the future.”

Claire McColgan CBE, Director of Culture Liverpool, said “The process of bidding for Eurovision has once again shown why Liverpool is such a brilliant event city. Partners from across the region – from hoteliers to the police, ACC Liverpool to the local hospitals – have got behind our plans and really stepped up to help bring this to the city.”

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “There’s nowhere better qualified or more fitting to host it than here in the UK’s cultural capital. Our reputation as a music heavyweight is unmatched. Not only are we a UNESCO City of Music, but no region in the UK has had more number one hits.

“We’ve shown time and time again that nowhere can throw a party quite like us – we’re ready to roll the red carpet out for a Eurovision celebration that the world will never forget!”

Why is the UK hosting Eurovision?

The UK was chosen to host Eurovision instead of last year’s winners, Ukraine, due to the ongoing conflict with Russia.

Sam Ryder came second for the UK in 2021, with his smash-hit, Spaceman.

Expressions of interest to host the 2023 event were made by 20 cities across the UK and seven cities made the shortlist.

Today’s announcement means Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle are no longer in the running.

Ahead of today’s decision, Liverpool’s push was has boosted by the Mayor of its twin city, Odessa, Gennadiy Trukhanov. In a video, Mr Trukhanov sent best wishes from the south-western port city.

He said: “Dear citizens of Liverpool. Our cities are located far from each other but there are things that shorten this distance.

“Odessa and Liverpool are two maritime, free cities. Two architectural pearls that attract millions of tourists annually and also a longstanding friendship and solidarity, originated by our twinning, unite us.

“Odessa is the city where dozens of European cultures and traditions meet each other. We haven’t only absorbed them but enriched them too.”

“We believe that our sister city Liverpool is worth hosting this contest, as it perfectly reflects the brightness of the event and demonstrates the true diversity within unity. We absolutely support you and wish you good luck.”

Liverpool first struck up links with Odessa in 1957 when it was still part of the Soviet Union. City officials maintained an active policy of twinning with other cities following the Second World War where links were forged with the Black Sea port.

Which Liverpool venue would host?

As the EBU have stated that the host city needs to have the capacity, capability and experience to host the event, the MandS Bank Arena could be the key to Liverpool hosting the 2023 event.

With a capacity of 11,000, the arena has played host to large international acts and continues to do so, with Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle and George Ezra shows coming up later in the year.

Both Liverpool and Glasgow’s hosting bids are for riverside arenas.

How do I get tickets for Eurovision 2023?

Tickets won’t be on sale until the host city is confirmed.

The Eurovision website states that: “Ticket prices, availability, and even the ticket provider, won’t be decided until there is a confirmed Host City and venue for the shows.”

“That’s not all, the BBC will then need to work out how much space is needed for the production inside the chosen venue such as cameras and the stage. All that is dependent on the chosen venue and can’t be confirmed in advance.”

Once all that is decided, tickets for nine shows will go on sale:

Grand Final: Live TV Show [Saturday evening]; Jury Show [Friday evening]; Family Show [Saturday afternoon].