Glasgow and Liverpool are announced as final two Eurovision contenders

Glasgow and Liverpool will battle it out to host Eurovision after being named last two contenders – defeating Leeds, Birmingham, Newcastle, Sheffield and Manchester

Ukrainian entry Kalush Orchestra triumphed at 2022 competition in Turin, Italy
But EBU decided show cannot be held in the country following Russia’s invasion
The UK was given the chance to host the event after Sam Ryder came second
Shortlist was narrowed down from 20 who submitted ‘expression of interest’

Liverpool and Glasgow are the two cities which remain in the competition to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, the BBC has announced.

They have been selected after Birmingham, Leeds, Newcastle, Sheffield and Manchester were removed from contention to host the music event in place of Ukraine.

Ukrainian entry Kalush Orchestra triumphed at the 2022 competition in Turin, Italy, but the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which produces the annual event, decided the show cannot be safely held in the country following Russia’s invasion.

Either Liverpool or Glasgow will host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest after the UK was given the chance to host the event for the ninth time – more than any other country – after Sam Ryder came second in the competition.

Liverpool (pictured), which has been a UNESCO City of Music since 2015, is synonymous with The Beatles and has a rich music heritage

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also previously voiced her support for Glasgow (pictured) as the home of the contest in June, with the OVO Hydro arena, which features in the Netflix film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, in the city previously rumoured to be a favourite location to host the contest for the UK

In August a list narrowed down from 20 UK cities who initially submitted an ‘expression of interest’ was released by the BBC, with applicants across all four regions demonstrating how they would reflect Ukrainian culture, music and communities

Of the seven cities named in August, six were in England, one in Scotland, with Belfast failing to make the cut for Northern Ireland.

Requirements included ‘a suitable venue and sufficient space to deliver the requirements of the Song Contest’, necessary commitment to the contest including a financial contribution, and ‘alignment with the BBC’s strategic priorities as a public service broadcaster’.

Liverpool, which has been a UNESCO City of Music since 2015, is synonymous with The Beatles and has a rich music heritage.

In June Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson said: ‘Culture is synonymous with Liverpool and we tick all the boxes to be next year’s host, great venues, enviable experience, a world-renowned music heritage, Unesco City of Music status and of course the warm Scouse welcome that just can’t be beaten.’

In 2008 Liverpool hosted the MTV Europe Music Awards and it is also home to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also previously voiced her support for Glasgow as the home of the contest in June, with the OVO Hydro arena, which features in the Netflix film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, in the city previously rumoured to be a favourite location to host the contest for the UK.

Scottish singer Lulu represented Britain at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1969, with song Boom Bang-A-Bang.

She was the joint winner that year as she shared the prize with France, Netherlands and Spain with 18 points apiece.

Martin Osterdahl, the executive supervisor for the Eurovision Song Contest, said the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) are ‘confident’ Glasgow and Liverpool are the ‘best-placed’ cities to host Eurovision 2023.

Of the seven cities named in August, six were in England, one in Scotland, with Belfast failing to make the cut for Northern Ireland

Osterdahl said: ‘The EBU would like to warmly thank all the seven British cities that put so much effort and enthusiasm into their bids to host next year’s Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine.

‘We very much appreciate their co-operation and the quality and creativity of all the bids received.

‘The Eurovision Song Contest is the most complex TV production in the world, with very specific logistical requirements to accommodate around 40 delegations and thousands of crew, volunteers, press and fans.

‘We’re confident our final two cities are the best-placed to meet this challenge and look forward to continuing our discussions to choose the one which will stage the world’s largest music event next May.’

The leader of Glasgow City Council has said the city has ‘everything it takes’ to host Eurovision after the shortlist was announced.

‘We’re excited that Glasgow has made it to the final two cities in the running to host Eurovision and a celebration of Ukraine next year,’ Susan Aitken said.

‘The competition has been very strong but Glasgow has an unrivalled track record for successfully hosting major global events.

‘Between that experience and expertise; our famous live music scene and one of the world’s top entertainment venues in the OVO Hydro – Glasgow has everything it takes to host a show that the whole Eurovision family can be proud of.’

Liverpool Mayor Joanne Anderson said she was ‘delighted’ with the city being one of the remaining two in contention to host the Eurovision Song Contest next year.

She tweeted: ‘Absolutely delighted £Liverpool has made the final two for the £Eurovision2023 shortlist.

‘Nowhere throws a party quite like us. The people, communities & businesses of our city are ready to put on a show – for Ukraine, the UK & for Europe. Eurovision in Liverpool. Imagine’

Scottish culture minister Neil Gray said: ‘We are delighted that Glasgow has made the final selection to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest.

‘The Scottish Government will continue to engage with Glasgow Council as they progress their final bid.’

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