Eurovision 2023: List of banned items & bag policy for Semi-Final and Grand Final shows in Liverpool

Eurovision 2023 is just days away from descending on the UK, with the first and second Semi-Finals as well as the glittering Grand Final scheduled to take place in Liverpool this week. If you’re lucky enough to be heading down to the city’s M&S Bank Arena to watch the shows, there is a fairly hefty list of items that are banned from the event as well as a bag policy in place.

The restrictions are in place to ensure the smooth running of the contest and to meet health and safety guidelines. Here is a list of the items that are banned from Liverpool M&S Bank Arena during the Eurovision 2023 shows on Tuesday (May 9), Thursday (May 11) and Saturday (May 13).

Eurovision M&S Bank Arena banned items

Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena has a list of prohibited items that can not be brought into the M&S Bank Arena for health and safety reasons. If you do have a prohibited item it could be confiscated - or you could even be refused entry.

The full list of items includes:

• Any item that is illegal to carry or possess under UK Law
• Liquids, Aerosols, Creams, & Gels in containers above 100ml (Maximum size 100 ml per container)
• Alcoholic beverages
• Clothing, items, or signage with the likely purpose of engaging in Ambush Marketing
• Helium balloons, frisbees or similar objects or projectiles - including inflatables
• Bicycles, rollerblades, skates, skateboards, scooters, Segways, or similar
• Chairs, folding chairs or similar, prams/baby carriers
• Glass/plastic/metal bottles or containers
• Controlled drugs or items having the appearance of controlled drugs - Medically prescribed medicine is permitted.
• CS / Pava Incapacitant Spray
• Explosive devices, fireworks, flares, pyrotechnics, smoke canisters or similar (including stink bombs)
• Firearms, replica firearms or any device suspected to be a firearm or component part
• Flags of countries not participating in the Eurovision Song Contest
• Flags larger than .5 m x 1 m. or flags, flag sticks, signs and banners
• Flammable substances, liquids and fuel - cigarette lighters, matches and size-compliant personnel use toiletries are permitted
• Food and drink - a reasonable quantity of baby food is permitted if attending with a baby
• Gas cylinders and similar items
• Hand or power tools, metal spikes, nails, or tacks.
• Hazardous substances include powders, pastes, chemicals, irritants, and toxic and flammable substances.
• Items for sale or distribution
• Knives and other items with edged blades and/or sharp points including large scissors, pocketknife or other cutting devices, or items designed or constructed to hold an edge
• Large items: any item too large to fit comfortably under a spectator seat or is likely to present a threat to safety in the event of an evacuation.
• Laser pointers, strobe lights and similar emitting devices.
• Noisemaking devices likely to impact on artist and spectator experience including vuvuzelas, horns, air horns, rattles, loud hailers, musical instruments
• Offensive messaging: messaged clothing, banners, posters, flags - including regional flags of participating countries with political overtones - or material of any kind displaying inappropriate or offensive images or writing as deemed by venue personnel. Including, but not limited to, those meant to offend any protected classes or characteristics, politics, religion, race, gender, sexual orientation and disability.
• Offensive weapon or implements (anything made, adapted, or intended for use for causing injury to a person, including bayonets, flick knives, martial arts weapons, extendable batons, and sharpened combs)
• Professional photographic and broadcast equipment including tripods and monopod
• Protest items and materials
• Restricted frequency transmitting or receiving equipment or devices (radio transmitters, walkie-talkies, radio scanners, cell, or radio jamming devices.)
• Remote-controlled items, including drones
• Selfie sticks
• Umbrellas
• Crash helmets
• Masks or any item which covers the face with the exception of masks used for medical or hygiene reasons. Masks must be momentarily removed if requested for identification purposes.
• Chains, and spiked / studded items of clothing including bracelets or belts
• Packages/parcels
• Any other items at the discretion of the venue which is likely to have an adverse effect on the successful delivery of the event

Eurovision 2023 bag policy

Liverpool M&S Bank Arena advises that bags should not be brought into the arena for the Eurovision shows. On its website, it states: “If a bag is absolutely necessary and for essential items only, we will allow customers to bring one small bag no larger than A4, ideally this would be a clear bag to allow for quick and hygienic security searches.

“Exemptions are allowed for medical purposes or for customers bringing changing bags for babies and young children.”