News
Manchester ruled out of hosting Eurovision 2023
BREAKING: The decision now lays between two northern cities
Manchester has been ruled out of hosting the Eurovision song contest for 2023 as the shortlist for cities is cut from seven to two.
The BBC has announced today that Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Newcastle and Sheffield have been axed from the shortlist of wannabe hosts for the competition.
This leaves Liverpool and Glasgow as the last standing contenders.
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 added.
If Liverpool is selected as the host, the competition 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.
In Glasgow, alternatively, the 14,300-capacity OVO Hydro venue would play home to Eurovision.
Liverpool and Glasgow will be scored on a set of criteria, the BBC said, 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.”
It was announced last month that the UK would host the annual song contest for the first time in twenty-four years after organisers decided it could not go ahead in Ukraine – who won this year’s competition – due to the ongoing conflict with Russia.
The UK came in second place thanks to Sam Ryder’s smash-hit ‘Spaceman’, prompting the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to open talks with the BBC.
A statement from BBC director general Tim Davie read: “It is a matter of great regret that our colleagues and friends in Ukraine are not able to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest.
“Being asked to host the largest and most complex music competition in the world is a great privilege. The BBC is committed to making the event a true reflection of Ukrainian culture alongside showcasing the diversity of British music and creativity.”