The BBC today (Friday) confirmed the seven UK cities on the shortlist to host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest next year.
Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield have been shortlisted to host the event.
There were expressions of interest from 20 cities across all four nations that make up the United Kingdom. Applicants had to demonstrate how they would reflect Ukrainian culture, music and communities, as Ukraine won this year’s competition.
After this year’s edition, The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the BBC agreed that Eurovision would be held in the runner-up country after it was deemed unsafe to do so in Ukraine.
The seven shortlisted cities also had to meet minimum requirements around capacity, capability and experience to host an event of this scale. Given the short turnaround period, the selection process focused on past experience hosting major international events.
The Host City selection process is a two-stage procedure and the shortlisted cities will now go through to the second and final stage. The Host City for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will be decided by the BBC and EBU in the autumn.
The Host City will be determined by which city scores highest against set criteria, assessed by the BBC. Cities will need to prove it has a suitable venue and sufficient space to deliver the contest; a commitment the city can provide a financial contribution; strength of cultural offerings including the ability to showcase Ukrainian culture and music; and alignment with the BBC’s strategic priorities as as public service broadcaster.
Kate Phillips, BBC’s director unscripted content, said: “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.
“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.”
Image: Vugarİbadov/CC BY-SA 3.0/Edited for size