We know, we know, you’ve only just recovered from the excitement of the last one. After years of embarrassment, the UK actually got to runner-up status. Huge.
So if you thought that was exciting, we can bet that you’re pretty pumped for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, which will be held in none other than our own stomping ground. But where in the UK will be graced with the honour, I hear you cry?
Which UK cities could host Eurovision 2023?
We’re here to deliver some serious Eurovision juice, if you will. Brace yourselves, because at 8.35am today, the Eurovision 2023 host city shortlist was announced on BBC Radio 2. It’s official: Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield have been shortlisted for the final cut.
The BBC has been invited to host the contest due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war (Ukraine had come first in this year’s contest and the UK second). Representatives from ten cities across the UK had publicly confirmed their bids to host the contest. Those were Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Darlington, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle and Sheffield. Brighton, London, Manchester and Wolverhampton also said they intended to apply.
There were some bets on Brighton, which hosted Eurovision back in 1974. But there are some rules set out by the European Broadcasting Union which means it pretty much needs to be a big ol’ city. For example, the venue has to hold at least 10,000 people and be easy to reach from an international airport.
So stay tuned, because these major cities now have a fight to the death to host the show, and the official host city is set to be chosen in Autumn.
When is Eurovision 2023?
You have a little while to wait yet. The actual contest itself won’t happen until May 2023, with the specific dates still to be confirmed. That’s fortunate, because the chosen host city will have lots of preparation to do before the event.
How do I get tickets for Eurovision 2023?
Yeah, you’ve got a while to wait for those too. Tickets won’t go on sale until the host city and venue is confirmed. But the good news is there will actually be nine shows to get tickets to, across the entire Eurovision week. Who knew?
According to the organisers, the best thing you can do right now is sign up to the Eurovision Song Contest newsletter, plus follow their YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and Facebook channels.
ICYMI: a drought is expected to be declared across England today.
Plus: here’s everything you need to know about the August rail strikes.