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Seven cities shortlisted to host Eurovision Song Contest 2023

Kalush Orchestra, Eurovision winners from Ukraine (Yui Mok/PA) (PA Wire)
Kalush Orchestra, Eurovision winners from Ukraine (Yui Mok/PA) (PA Wire)

Birmingham, Glasgow and Leeds are among the seven cities shortlisted to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in place of Ukraine.

They will battle it out alongside Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield in the next stage of the bidding process to host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest.

Ukrainian entry Kalush Orchestra triumphed at this year’s competition in Turin, Italy, but the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which produces the annual event, decided the event cannot be held in the war-torn country following Russia’s invasion.

The UK was given the chance to host Eurovision for the ninth time, more than any other country, after Sam Ryder came second in the competition.

London was one of the 20 cities who submitted an “expression of interest” to host, with applicants demonstrating how they would reflect Ukrainian culture, music and communities.

Scott Mills joined Zoe Ball on her BBC Two Breakfast show to announce the shortlist of host cities, alongside Eurovision executive supervisor Martin Osterdahl.

Mr Osterdahl said: “We’ve waited 25 years for Eurovision to be hosted in the UK, so very excited.”

After the announcement, Mills said: “It’s huge, it’s a beast and it’s complicated as an event to put on.

“But also it’s cities who have the passion to put on a contest like this, because of time, past experience with huge international events and also being able to host a celebration of modern music.

“The next thing that happens, these cities go through to the second and final stage, they have to give a bit more detail about their plans.

“The final, final decision gets made based on what city and region scores highest against the BBC’s criteria.”

Reacting to news that Birmingham is on the shortlist, city council leader Ian Ward said he is “delighted” and that the city “would love the honour of hosting”.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: “It’s got to be Glasgow!”

The BBC, which broadcasts the contest in the UK, and the EBU made the shortlist selection based on the cities’ “capacity, capability and experience to host an event of this scale and complexity”.

The winner will need a large events space, suitable accommodation and international transport links for the competing countries and their delegations.

Kate Phillips, the BBC’s director of 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.”

Sam Ryder (Aaron Chown/PA) (PA Wire)
Sam Ryder (Aaron Chown/PA) (PA Wire)

“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.”

Ukraine will automatically qualify for the Eurovision grand final alongside the so-called big five nations – the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain – who each get a free pass because of their financial contributions to the event.

On Friday, UK-based think tank and charity British Future called for Ukrainian refugees and their UK host families to be given “priority tickets” to Eurovision 2023.

The host city is expected to be announced by the autumn.