Liverpool was chosen as the host city for the 67th Eurovision Song Contest after a tight competition with the city of Glasgow.
The Eurovision Song Contest 2023 Grand Final will take place at the Liverpool Arena by the River Mersey on Saturday 13 May, with semi-finals on Tuesday 9 and Thursday 11 May.
The BBC, together with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), will organize the competition in consultation with UA:PBC, the Ukrainian public broadcaster and last year’s competition winners.
Liverpool was chosen after a robust city bidding process which examined the facilities at the venue; the ability to accommodate thousands of visiting delegations, crews, fans and journalists; infrastructure; and the cultural offer of the host city in reflection of Ukraine’s victory in 2022.
Eurovision Song Contest Executive Director Martin Osterdahl welcomed the news:
“Liverpool is the perfect place to host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine.
The city is synonymous with music and the Liverpool Arena exceeds all the requirements necessary to host a global event of this scale. We were very impressed with the passion the city showed in embracing the competition and their overarching ideas to put last year’s winners, Ukraine, front and center when thousands of fans visit next May.
This will be the first Eurovision Song Contest to be held in the UK for 25 years and as we work with our host, the BBC, to celebrate Ukraine’s victory, this unique production promises to be very special indeed.
BBC Director General Tim Davey said:
“Congratulations to Liverpool. They will be amazing hosts for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. Liverpool is such an exciting, warm and vibrant city. It is the undisputed capital of pop music and is celebrating the 65th anniversary of its twinning with the Ukrainian city of Odessa. I know the people of Liverpool will welcome Europe – and the rest of the world – with open arms and in partnership we will create something truly special.”
Unique logo
To coincide with the announcement of the host city, the EBU has released the official logo of the 67th Eurovision Song Contest, which features the Ukrainian flag in the heart. The logo design reflects that although the contest will be held in the UK, it will be done on behalf of Ukraine, the winners of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
Mykola Chernotytskyi, head of the management board of UA:PBC, the Ukrainian public broadcaster, said:
“It is symbolic that the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Liverpool, Odessa’s sister city. Organizing a competition of such a level places extremely high demands. I am convinced that the city, recognized as the capital of pop music, will welcome them in the best possible way and provide them with a celebration of music that will amaze both the delegations and Eurovision fans.”
Ukraine and the United Kingdom – major Eurovision nations
Read more: History of the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest Read more: History of Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest
Both Ukraine and the UK have a long and fascinating history when it comes to the Eurovision Song Contest, with many iconic performances and 8 wins between them!
The BBC has staged the Eurovision Song Contest more times than any other broadcaster… with Liverpool marking the 9th occasion:
UK Host Cities (Places)
1960*
London (Royal Festival Hall)
1963
London (BBC Television Centre)
1968*
London (Royal Albert Hall)
1972*
Edinburgh (Usher Hall)
1974*
Brighton (Brighton Dome)
1977
London (Wembley Conference Centre)
1982
Harrogate (Harrogate International Centre)
1998
Birmingham (National Indoor Arena)
2023*
Liverpool (Liverpool Arena)
The BBC has a rich history of participation in Eurovision and has stepped in to host the contest many times when the previous winning broadcaster could not (in 1960, 1968, 1972, 1974 and 2023).
They are also the only country (Big Five aside) to have qualified for the Grand Finals on all occasions since the semi-finals were introduced in 2004, and it was at this competition in Istanbul that Ukraine won for the first time.
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