Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Liverpool in 2023

The Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Liverpool next year. That made actor and TV presenter Graham Norton known on behalf of the BBC on Friday evening in the “BBC One Show”. The date was 13 May. Previously, the Scottish city of Glasgow was also on the shortlist.

In 2023, the UK will host the Eurovision Song Contest, replacing Ukraine, which won the competition in Turin this year with the Kalush Orchestra. It is already the ninth time that the ESC has taken place in the UK. However, Liverpool is the host city for the first time. Several ESC fans had gathered in the port city in the evening for the BBC broadcast and burst into cheers after the decision.

For security reasons, the event cannot be celebrated in the still controversial Ukraine. Britain, as the runner-up, already offered to host it months ago. The British have often filled in for other countries. The BBC expects 160 million TV viewers around the world to watch the big event.

«It is the party of Ukraine. We’re just inviting them to throw them home,” said Sam Ryder, this year’s runner-up on this year’s ESC, after deciding to host Britain. “We know how to party here in the UK.” Despite the postponement, the competition will celebrate Ukrainian culture, history and music.

Home of the Beatles, Liverpool has a long and rich musical history, attracting visitors from all over the world every year. Liverpool even sent local musicians to the race during previous Eurovision song contests. Singer Sonia took second place in 1993 with “Better the Devil You Know”. The band Jemini, also from Liverpool, took part in 2003 but only came last. According to the BBC, the spectacle will take place in the Port of Liverpool at the M&S Bank Arena, which can accommodate 11,000 spectators. (dab/sda/dpa)