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Eurovision 2023: Glasgow or Liverpool? Tomorrow the announcement!

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Finally, the time of announcement of the hosting city for Eurovision 2023 has come! Graham Norton earlier in the day through The Chris Evans Breakfast Show with Sky, confirms the recent rumours, about which we have already informed you through our article, that wanted the reveal of the hosting city to be made tomorrow at Friday, October 7th. The announcement will be made by Graham Norton through BBC One Show, which airs from 21:00 to 21:30 EEST. A talk with Sam Ryder about the matter will follow.

Which city do you prefer to host Eurovision 2023? Write in the comments below!

Source: wiwibloggs

Eurovision 2023: Glasgow or Liverpool will host the upcoming contest!

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Either Glasgow or Liverpool will host next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, after the shortlist of cities in contention was cut from seven to two.

The announcement means Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield have missed out on the chance to stage the competition next May.

The BBC said the two remaining cities, which both have riverside arena venues, had “the strongest overall offer”.

A final decision will be made “within weeks”, the broadcaster said.

 

The UK was chosen to host the 2023 contest after organisers decided it could not be staged by this year’s winner, Ukraine, because of the ongoing war. The UK’s singer Sam Ryder was the runner-up this May.

A hotly-contested selection process saw 20 UK cities express an interest in hosting this year’s show before that was narrowed down to seven, and now a final two.

Crowds outside Glasgow's OVO Hydro arenaJEFF HOLMES

Glasgow’s OVO Hydro arena doubled as the venue in Will Ferrell’s Eurovision movie

The winning location will attract thousands of visitors and the attention of around 160 million TV viewers around the world.

The original seven shortlisted cities were scored on a set of criteria including:

  • “Having a suitable venue and sufficient space to deliver the requirements of the Song Contest
  • “The commitment that can be made by a city or region to hosting the event, including the financial contribution
  • “The strength of the cultural offer which includes off screen local and regional activity as well as showcasing Ukrainian culture and music
  • “And alignment with the BBC’s strategic priorities as a public service broadcaster, such as providing value to all audiences and supporting the creative economy in the UK.”

Glasgow calling?

LuluGETTY IMAGES

Lulu won Eurovision in 1969

Glasgow was a bookies’ favourite from the off, with its OVO Hydro venue having a capacity of 14,300.

The arena would be a fitting setting in some ways after being filmed for the exterior of the venue in Will Ferrell’s 2020 Netflix movie Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.

And of course, Glasgow lass Lulu won the 1969 Contest with Boom Bang-a-Bang. She says it’s “the perfect place… and it’s about time”.

Fellow Glaswegian Scott Fitzgerald came second in 1988 when he was beaten to the top spot by none other than Celine Dion.

Leader of Glasgow City Council Susan Aitken has said the city “has all the right ingredients to deliver a Eurovision the world will remember”.

The city centre venue is also next to exhibition centres that could be useful for facilities like a press centre, and has a nearby station and hotels. It has previously hosted BBC Sports Personality of the Year and events during the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Or douze points to Liverpool?

SoniaGETTY IMAGES

Sonia is keen for the contest to come to her home city

The home of The Beatles has a rich musical history that attracts thousands of international visitors every year. Its past major events have included the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2008.

Sonia came second in the contest back in 1993 with Better the Devil You Know. The city has also been represented by Jemini, who sadly got nul points in 2003.

Eurovision would be staged at the 11,000-capacity dockside M&S Bank Arena, which is next to a conference centre and near the city centre’s hotels and rail links.

Speaking earlier this year, Steve Rotheram, mayor of Liverpool City Region, said: “It’s safe to say that Liverpool wouldn’t be Liverpool without music – and music wouldn’t be music without Liverpool.

“No region in the UK has had more number one hits – and nowhere can throw a party quite like us. I can think of nowhere more qualified, more experienced or more fitting to host the Eurovision.”

Short presentational grey line

Eurovision organisers say a host venue should accommodate about 10,000 spectators, be within easy reach of an international airport and have enough hotel accommodation for at least 2,000 delegates, journalists and ticket-buyers.

The venue will be needed for preparations for six to eight weeks ahead of the song contest, meaning the host city will need to move concerts and events that are already in their schedules.

Aerial shot of Liverpool's waterfront including the M&S Bank Arena and adjoining exhibition centreANT CLAUSEN

Liverpool’s arena and exhibition centre are on the banks of the River Mersey

That could include the likes of Sir Elton John, who has concerts in Liverpool on 22 and 23 April, and the Magic Mike arena tour, which is booked for both cities in late April.

The UK has hosted Eurovision eight times – four times in London, and in Edinburgh, Brighton, Harrogate and Birmingham.

The former UK Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said when the shortlist was revealed that the country was “determined to deliver a competition which reflects Ukraine’s rich culture and creativity”. Congratulating the shortlisted cities, she said “no matter which one is chosen it will be a fantastic event to make both the UK and Ukraine proud”.

The BBC’s director of unscripted content Kate Phillips said: “We are committed to delivering a truly unique Song Contest that celebrates wonderful Ukraine and champions British music and creativity in all its diversity.”

The final decission will be made in the next weeks! Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun!

Source: BBC

UK: Birmingham backed to host by Imaani!

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Imaani who nearly won the Eurovision Song Contest says she is “backing Birmingham” to host the 2023 event.

Imaani finished as runner-up to Dana International when the competition was last held in the city in 1998.

The winning city is expected to be announced by the BBC and Eurovision organisers in the next few weeks.

Imaani finished seven points behind the Israeli winner 24 years ago, the year after Katrina and the Waves won with their UK entry Love Shine A Light. Until Sam Ryder’s stellar performance at this year’s contest in Turin, Italy, she was the UK’s most recent runner-up.

A woman sitting in a street

Imaani remembers her “absolute terror” preparing for the 1998 contest in Birmingham

She remembers feeling “absolute terror” during the dress rehearsal for her song Where Are You?, at the city’s National Indoor Arena.

“My management team drew lots over who was going to come down and tell me off for crying,” she told the BBC. “I was just so scared.”

Despite this, the singer has fond memories of the atmosphere in Birmingham during the live show.

“It was massive. Amazing band and the crowd was incredible. Such a huge building, it was amazing, a phenomenal experience,” she said.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that Birmingham could do it again. And a thousand times better than they did it before – and they did a pretty damn good job when I was there. I’m backing Birmingham.”

If it wins, Birmingham will host the event at the 15,685-capacity Resorts World Arena.

Cllr Ian Ward in front of Birmingham City Council House

Cllr Ian Ward said the 1998 contest was a turning point for public perception of the city

Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield are also hoping to stage the event, in May.

Birmingham City Council leader Ian Ward said the summer’s Commonwealth Games proved the city’s ability to be the host.

“We saw during the Commonwealth Games people here in Birmingham rediscovering their pride and their confidence in their city and realising that Birmingham can do these major international events as well as any other city anywhere in the world,” he said.

Two men holding European flags in front of a flag backdropBRYAN AND KEVIN MANLEY-GREEN

Kevin and Bryan Manley-Green said they were confident the competition they “absolutely loved “would return to Birmingham

Eurovision super-fan Bryan Manley-Green, from Birmingham, said the city “blossomed” during Eurovision 1998.

“The city just came to life, it came to life for the whole month because we had the G8 just afterwards… so it was just a wonderful month,” he said.

“He likes Eurovision more than me,” joked partner Kevin.

Source: BBC

Eurovision 2023: Scotland’s First Minister is excited about the prospect of Glasgow hosting ESC despite internal reactions!

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By far, the biggest supporter of Glasgow‘s bid to host Eurovision 2023 is certainly Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon.

As is well known, seven cities will be vying to host Eurovision 2023 in the coming months. These cities are Glasgow, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield.

Hours after it was announced that Scotland’s most populous city is one of seven cities in the running to host the next Eurovision, Scotland’s First Minister has publicly voiced her support for Glasgow’s bid.

In a characteristic Tweet, Nicola Sturgeon said the contest should be held in Glasgow, wearing a festive hat to emphasize her excitement about the prospect.

However, not everyone in Scotland shares Sturgeon’s enthusiasm, with several social media users taking sarcastic comments towards the Scottish first minister.

Does the leader of a nationalist government that wants to hold a referendum on Scottish independence want a celebration of British culture?

On the other hand: it will turn Eurovision into a showcase for the SNP, while the contest should be for the UK and Ukraine.

@Squirrelsings

How many selfies could you take there? What an opportunity for you!

@bobbyd424

Other users focused on the funds the Scottish government would have to spend on the Eurovision Song Contest should Glasgow be chosen to host the next contest, while the focus should be on the country’s domestic problems.

I’m sorry but I don’t want Glasgow tax payers money wasted on Eurovision if local people can’t heat their homes and/or feed their families.

@kenmckirdy

Glasgow is said to be the big favorite to host Eurovision 2023. Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city, with the River Clyde crossing it from east to west, passing through its centre.

Should Glasgow be the EBU and BBC’s choice for the next competition, it will be hosted at the OVO Hydro. The OVO Hydro is Scotland’s largest indoor stadium, hosting numerous sporting and cultural events every year and having the capacity to accommodate up to 14,000 spectators. Among others, huge names of the world music scene have passed through the OVO Hydro stage, such as Iron Maiden, Metallica, Muse, Adele, Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, etc.

We await with great interest the developments of the coming weeks and months as the EBU and BBC will reveal the host city for the 67th Eurovision Song Contest.

Source: Daily Express

Eurovision 2023: Shortlist of Host Cities revealed!

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One of the most important dates of the 67th Eurovision Song Contest is today, as the BBC announced a little while ago the list of cities that will officially vie to host Eurovision 2023.

As the nomination process to host the next contest has come to an end, the British public broadcaster and the EBU have finalized the cities that qualify for the second stage of selecting the host city of the 67th Eurovision.

As we knew until yesterday, at least ten cities had confirmed that they had submitted their proposals, while at least another five had expressed interest in submitting their own proposals, but had not officially done so.

The announcement was made through the morning radio broadcast of the BBC’s second program entitled “BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show“. After the detailed examination of all the proposals, the cities that will claim the hosting of Eurovision 2023 in the coming months are:

  • Birmingham – Resorts World Arena (15,685 seats)

  • Glasgow – OVO Hydro (14,500 seats)

  • Leeds – First Direct Arena (13,781 seats)

  • Liverpool – M&S Bank Arena (11,000 seats)

  • Manchester – AO Arena (21,000 seats)

  • Newcastle – Utilita Arena Newcastle (11,000 seats)

  • Sheffield – Utilita Arena Sheffield (13,600 seats)

This means that the following cities were left out of contention:

  • Aberdeen
  • Bristol
  • Belfast
  • Darlington

A decision on where the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will be held is expected to be made in the autumn. According to the BBC, the UK government may be consulted beforehand, but it will be the BBC and the EBU who decide the host city.

Eurovision 2023 will be held in the United Kingdom after Kalush Orchestra won this year’s contest with the song “Stefania“. Despite Ukraine’s victory, the EBU decided that the next contest will be held in the United Kingdom, which took second place, since due to the ongoing war in Ukraine after the Russian invasion, it is not possible for Eurovision to take place there.

In which city would you like Eurovision 2023 to take place?

Eurovision 2023: Edinburgh in the race to host the contest!

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Just hours before the announcement of the final shortlist of cities to host Eurovision 2023, the city of Edinburgh has confirmed that it has submitted a bid to host the upcoming Song Contest.

Edinburgh

The Scottish capital is the fourteenth UK city to confirm its bid to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest.

Cammy Day, leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, told the Edinburgh News:

It is, of course, regrettable that this year’s winners, Ukraine, cannot host the 2023 competition in their country, but it would be an honor to host the competition, together with Kyiv, as it is a sister city to us and Edinburgh has become home to many thousands of Ukrainians in recent months. Our capital became the first city outside London to host the event in 1972 and more recently, fictionally, in the Netflix movie “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga!”. But hosting Europe for 2023 is an opportunity to welcome our friends from participating countries to the most iconic song contest, showcasing Edinburgh’s culture, heritage and history.

However, the Scottish capital seems unlikely to be chosen as the host city of Eurovision 2023, as at the moment at least, it does not have a suitable indoor venue to hold the competition’s three shows.

Eurovision have been held in the city twice before, in 1972 when it hosted the Eurovision Song Contest, and in 2018 it hosted Eurovision Young Musicians.

The first phase of selection has been completed

Eleven cities have publicly announced their bid to host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest next May. Tomorrow  , Friday, August 12,  we will officially know  the cities that pass to the second and final selection phase  and will definitely claim to host  Eurovision 2023.

The announcement will be made through the morning radio show of the BBC’s second program entitled ” BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show “.

Following the first round of nominations, the  BBC  and the EBU  have now identified the nominations that meet the requirements and have the ability to host Europe’s biggest televised event and will announce them to the general public tomorrow.

The decision on where the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will be held is expected to be made  in the autumn. According to the BBC, the UK government may be consulted  beforehand, but it will be BBC  and the EBU who decide the host city.

The following cities have confirmed that they have already submitted their proposals:

  • Aberdeen
  • Edinburgh
  • Birmingham
  • Bristol
  • Glasgow
  • Liverpool
  • Newcastle
  • Belfast
  • Sheffield
  • Leeds
  • Darlington

While the following cities have already indicated their intention to submit their own proposals, but have not yet formally done so:

  • Brighton
  • London
  • Manchester
  • Nottingham
  • Wolverhampton

In which city would you like Eurovision 2023 to take place?

Source: Edinburgh News

Eurovision 2023: the shortlist of host cities will be announced tomorrow at 9:30

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After days of speculation, it is now confirmed that the shortlist of candidate cities competing to host the Eurovision Song Contest will be announced on Friday, August 12 at 9:30 CET.  The contenders will be announced on  the morning show of BBC Radio 2, BBC Breakfast.

The first phase of selection has been completed

So far, ten cities have publicly announced their bid to host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest.   Tomorrow, Friday, August 12, we will officially know the cities that pass to the second and final selection phase.

BBC Radio 2 will make this announcement on their morning show “BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show”.

During the first phase, the BBC and the EBU have identified which candidates meet the requirements and have the ability to host Europe’s biggest televised event and will announce the shortlist tomorrow.

It is expected that the final decision on the host city will be decided by autumn.  According to the BBC, the UK government may be consulted.  However, the final decision will ultimately be made by the BBC and the EBU.

The following cities have confirmed that they have already submitted their proposals:

  • Aberdeen
  • Birmingham
  • Bristol
  • Glasgow
  • Liverpool
  • Newcastle
  • Belfast
  • Sheffield
  • Leeds
  • Darlington

Additionally, the following cities have expressed interest to submit their own proposals, but have not yet formally done so:

  • Brighton
  • London
  • Manchester
  • Nottingham
  • Wolverhampton

Darlington submitted its candidacy

Darlington became the most recent city that has put its name to the candidate list to host Eurovision 2023.  According to the local authorities of the small city, they understand that they have little chances of winning the selection process. Nevertheless, Darlington wanted to submit their application to strengthen their ties with the people of Ukraine, as well as gain important experiences for the future.

Darlington has a 25,000-seat stadium , but it has no roof. Therefore, in the unlikely event that the city of 100,000 inhabitants in the North East of England ends up hosting the competition, it will have to build a roof for stadium.  A similar case happened in 2001 with the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen.

Glasgow favorite according to the betting odds

Glasgow is currently the bookies favorite to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.  Previously, the city of Birmingham was on top of the betting odds for a short period.  However, Glasgow which was the original favorite is back on top.  According to the betting odds Glasgow’s chance to host are getting close to 50%

Birmingham is now second  place.  Manchester, which has not yet officially announced its candidacy is in third place by a wide margin.

The Eurovision Song Contest  2023 will be held in the United Kingdom following the victory of the Kalush Orchestra with the song Stefania.  Although Ukraine won this year’s contest, the EBU decided that the next contest will take place in the United Kingdom, which ended in second place.  The EBU deemed that the ongoing war in Ukraine since the Russian invasion, made impossible for Eurovision to take place in Ukraine.  This marks the first time since 1980 that the previous winning country is unable to host the following contest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1fl60ypdLs&ab_channel=EurovisionSongContest

Eurovision 2023: Schedule conflict will force UK host cities to cancel other events to make way for ESC!

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One problem that the EBU and the BBC will be asked to manage in view of the choice of Host City for Eurovision 2023 is that of the already scheduled events for next spring.

As is known, in order to make all the necessary preparations for the Eurovision Song Contest, it takes a little more than six weeks. This means that the contest venue should be free for this period of time.

Nevertheless, the announcement during the summer of Eurovision 2023 on British soil is going to overturn the planning of all indoor arenas that have scheduled events for this period.

Artists and shows such as Magic Mike, André Rieu and Elton John have scheduled events in the candidate cities and candidate indoor arenas that want to host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest.

In fact, the producers of the Magic Mike Tour confirmed in a BBC News report that no one has asked them to reschedule their shows in Newcastle and Manchester. Tickets for the shows are already on sale, as the final decision on the host city won’t be made until the fall. We remind you that both cities are in the running to host Eurovision 2023.

Despite the planning for that period so far, the executives of many of the indoor arenas told BBC News that if they are selected to hold the next competition, they will immediately proceed to discussions with the producers of the planned events in order to reschedule them.

Scheduled Events

The scheduled events for the period April – May 2023 in the candidate cities for Eurovision 2023 are:

Aberdeen P&J Live

10 – 11 April – Jurassic Live

20 April – Magic Mike

25 May – André Rieu

Belfast SSE

31 March – Elton John

1 April – Belfast Giants vs Guildford Flame

20 April – André Rieu

22 April – Magic Mike

29 April – Biggest 90s Disco

20 May – Anything For Love

Birmingham Utilita

26 – 27 March – Celine Dion

28 April – Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe

1 May – Magic Mike

Birmingham Resorts World

15 April – André Rieu

19 April – Elton John

Glasgow OVO Hydro

2 – 3 April – Celine Dion

18 April – Sabaton

25 April – Magic Mike

27 April – André Rieu

Leeds First Direct Arena

1 April – Europe’s Strongest Man

14 April – Sabaton

22 April – Michael Starring Ben

29 April – Magic Mike

11 May – André Rieu

Liverpool M&S Bank Arena

22 – 23 April – Elton John

24 April – Magic Mike

29 April – Reminisce in Concert

30 April – Michael Starring Ben

12 May – André Rieu

London O2 Arena

2 – 9 April – Elton John

10 – 11 April – Celine Dion

12 – 13 & 16 – 17 April – Elton John

21 April – Rob Beckett & Josh Widdicombe

30 April – Tokio Hotel

8 May – Måneskin

14 May – British Basketball Play-Off Finals

London OVO Wembley Arena

14 April – André Rieu

15 April – Sabaton

23 April – Rob Beckett & Josh Widdicombe

4 May – Stromae

Manchester AO Arena

5 – 6 April – Celine Dion

14 April – Rob Beckett & Josh Widdicombe

2 May – Magic Mike

Newcastle Utilita Arena

27 April – Magic Mike

Sheffield Utilita Arena

1 April – Steelers v Glagsow Clan

26 April – Magic Mike

13 May – André Rieu

Selection Process

In two days, on Friday, August 12, we will officially know the cities that will definitively claim to host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest, as reported by the British media.

Shortly after Newcastle‘s bid for Eurovision 2023 was made official, the Chronicle, Tyneside’s largest news site, reports that the BBC will reveal on Friday the shortlisted host cities that wish to host the next Eurovision.

The announcement, according to the Chronicle’s publication, will be made through the morning radio broadcast of the BBC’s second program entitled “BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show“. However, the British public broadcaster has so far neither confirmed nor denied the report.

As it became known a few days ago, the selection process will take place in two rounds. After the first round of nominations, the BBC and the EBU will select the nominations that meet the requirements and have the capacity to host Europe’s biggest televised event.

A decision on where the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will be held is expected to be made in the autumn. According to the BBC, the UK government may be consulted beforehand, but it will be the BBC and the EBU who decide the host city.

The following cities have confirmed that work has begun on their bids:

  • Aberdeen
  • Birmingham
  • Bristol
  • Glasgow
  • Liverpool
  • Newcastle
  • Belfast
  • Sheffield
  • Leeds

While the following cities have already indicated their intention to submit their own bids:

  • Brighton
  • Derry
  • London
  • Manchester
  • Nottingham
  • Sunderland
  • Wolverhampton

Kalush Orchestra won the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 with the song “Stefania“. It was Ukraine‘s third win in the contest’s history.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1fl60ypdLs

Source: BBC

United Kingdom: Shortlist of Host Cities to be revealed on August 12?

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In four days, on Friday, August 12, it is likely that we will officially know the cities that will definitively claim to host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest, as reported by the British media.

Shortly after Newcastle‘s bid for Eurovision 2023 was made official, the Chronicle, Tyneside’s largest news site, reports in a report today that the BBC will reveal the shortlisted host cities that wish to host the next Eurovision.

The announcement, according to the Chronicle’s publication, will be made through the morning radio broadcast of the BBC’s second program entitled “BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show“. However, the British public broadcaster has so far neither confirmed nor denied the report.

As it became known a few days ago, the selection process will take place in two rounds. After the first round of nominations, the BBC and the EBU will select the nominations that meet the requirements and have the capacity to host Europe’s biggest televised event.

The final decision on selecting the Host City will be based on a city or region’s capacity and capability in meeting the BBC’s and the EBU’s requirements, as well as availability of resources and general experience in hosting a large and complex event such as the Eurovision Song Contest.

BBC

A decision on where the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will be held is expected to be made in the autumn. According to the BBC, the UK government may be consulted beforehand, but it will be the BBC and the EBU who decide the host city.

The following cities have confirmed that work has begun on their bids:

  • Aberdeen
  • Birmingham
  • Bristol
  • Glasgow
  • Liverpool
  • Newcastle

While the following cities have already indicated their intention to submit their own bids:

  • Belfast
  • Brighton
  • Derry
  • Leeds
  • London
  • Manchester
  • Nottingham
  • Sheffield
  • Sunderland
  • Wolverhampton

Kalush Orchestra won the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 with the song “Stefania“. It was Ukraine‘s third win in the contest’s history.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1fl60ypdLs

Source: Chronicle