Eurovision 2023: Shortlisted UK cities confirmed

We’re into the final stages to determine which city will host Eurovision 2023.

The 2023 event will be held in the UK because of the ongoing instability caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine won the 2022 event, represented by Kalush Orchestra. The UK came second overall, which is why organisers have selected the UK to host the 2023 event.

Ukraine will automatically qualify for the Grand Final of the 2022 event – which is standard for the winning country – along with the ‘Big 5’ (those countries that financially contribute the most towards the Contest: France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom).

Organisers have indicated that while the event will be hosted by the UK, there will be clear recognition and celebration of Ukraine as the reigning title-holders.

The BBC is the UK broadcaster responsible for staging Eurovision 2023, and it has now confirmed which seven cities have been shortlisted as potential venues for the event.

The cities in contention are Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, and Sheffield. These seven cities were selected from a field of twenty that expressed an interest in hosting the event.

The shortlisted cities were chosen on the basis of capability, capacity and experience to host the contest. Another key requirement from the host city is to show “how they would reflect Ukrainian culture, music and communities to mark the fact that Ukraine are the winners.”

The seven cities will now go through to the next stage of selection which will consider their financial commitment, passion, and the strength of their local culture. The final chosen city will be announced in the Autumn.

Which city would get your vote?

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