The BBC has announced the 7 cities which will be shortlisted to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest.
5 are based in the North of England with Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield going through to the next round alongside Birmingham and Glasgow.
In total 20 cities put forward expressions of interest, with each showing how they would reflect Ukrainian culture, music and communities to mark the fact that Ukraine are the winners of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
The cities were shortlisted based on their ability to meet a set of minimum requirements including “capacity, capability and experience to host an event of this scale and complexity.”
The BBC and EBU will make a final decision in the Autumn.
“We would like to thank all of the cities and regions that submitted bids to host next year’s Eurovision Song Contest. We have seven fantastic cities who we are taking through to the next round,” said Kate Phillips, BBC’s Director Unscripted Content.
“Congratulations to Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield – it’s exciting to see such a breadth of bids going through from across the UK. We are committed to delivering a truly unique Song Contest that celebrates wonderful Ukraine and champions British music and creativity in all its diversity.”
Reaction from the cities:
Sheffield
South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said:
“Crack open the bucks fizz, Eurovision are making their minds up – and the only correct choice is Sheffield and South Yorkshire! I’ve previously said that Sheffield seemed the obvious choice to host next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, you’d have to be a spaceman not to. But I will say it again – we have the venues, the heritage, the track record and the passion that Eurovision deserves in such an important year for the contest, that would be held in solidarity with our friends and partners in Ukraine.”
Newcastle
Newcastle City Council’s Cllr Lesley Storey, Cabinet member for a Vibrant City:
“This is amazing news. I never doubted it for one minute.
“Newcastle is a warm, welcoming city and only the Geordies could get behind a bid like this and put so much into it on behalf of the people of Ukraine.
“We are one step away from hosting one of the biggest events in the world right in here in Newcastle. How exciting is that?”
