Which country will host Euro 2023?

Amid Russia’s continued invasion of the country, the event “could not be held in Ukraine for safety and security reasons,” according to the European Broadcasting Union.

Liverpool will host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and BBC revealed Friday.

Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra were named the winners of the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest earlier this year, and as champions, Ukraine would customarily host the 2023 event. But as Russia – which was blocked from participating this year – continues to invade the country, its winning broadcaster UA: PBC will officially pass off hosting responsibilities to the U.K., whose own Sam Ryder came in second place in the 2022 contest.

“Playing in the same place that The Beatles started out will be a moment we’ll never forget!” Kalush Orchestra said in a statement Friday. “Although we are sad that next year’s competition cannot take place in our homeland, we know that the people of Liverpool will be warm hosts and the organizers will be able to add a real Ukrainian flavor to Eurovision 2023 in this city.”

BBC Director-General Tim Davie said Liverpool is “the undisputed capital of pop music” and would be “an amazing host.” Prime Minister Liz Truss tweeted, “A welcoming city with a proud musical heritage, Liverpool will put on an unforgettable show which celebrates the rich culture and creativity of Ukraine.”

The BBC has assumed hosting duties on behalf of other winning countries in the past, including the Netherlands, France, Monaco, and Luxembourg, between 1960 and 1974.

In a statement, Eurovision Song Contest’s Executive Supervisor Martin Österdahl previously said: “Continuing in this tradition of solidarity, we know that next year’s Contest will showcase the creativity and skill of one of Europe’s most experienced public broadcasters whilst ensuring this year’s winners, Ukraine, are celebrated and represented throughout the event.”

The 2023 Eurovision Song Contest host city will be named in the coming months after the conclusion of a bidding process.

“It is a matter of great regret that our colleagues and friends in Ukraine are not able to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest,” said Tim Davie, director-general of the BBC. “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. The BBC will now begin the process to find a Host City to partner with us on delivering one of the most exciting events to come to the UK in 2023.”

Mykola Chernotytskyi, head of the managing board of UA: PBC, added: “The 2023 Eurovision Song Contest will not be in Ukraine but in support of Ukraine. We are grateful to our BBC partners for showing solidarity with us. I am confident that together we will be able to add Ukrainian spirit to this event and once again unite the whole of Europe around our common values of peace, support, celebrating diversity and talent.”

This story was updated 10/7 to reflect the announcement that Liverpool would be the U.K. city to host Eurovision 2022.

The EBU and BBC are excited to reveal that Liverpool has been chosen as the Host City of the 67th Eurovision Song Contest, following a competitive bidding process. 

• Home of The Beatles to host 67th Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine
• 2023 event to take place on Tuesday 9, Thursday 11 and Saturday 13 May
• Special logo created to mark unique event 

The 2023 competition will take place in the United Kingdom, following Kalush Orchestra’s victory for Ukraine in Turin in May, after it was concluded that the event could not be held in the winning country for safety and security reasons. 

The Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will take place at the Liverpool Arena next to the River Mersey on Saturday 13 May with Semi-Finals on 9 and 11 May.

The BBC, together with the EBU, will organize the event next year in consultation with UA:PBC, Ukraine’s public broadcaster. 

Liverpool was chosen following a strong city bid process that examined facilities at the venue, the ability to accommodate thousands of visiting delegations, crew, fans and journalists, infrastructure, and the cultural offer of the Host City in reflecting Ukraine’s win in 2022, amongst other criteria.

A shortlist of 7 cities which included Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, and Newcastle, was announced in August before being narrowed down to 2 in September. 

Glasgow and Liverpool were then left in the race to host the world’s largest live music event, which reached over 175 million viewers on TV and online in 2022.

"Ideal place" 

Eurovision Song Contest Executive Supervisor Martin Österdahl welcomed the choice: “Liverpool is the ideal place to host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine.”

“The city is synonymous with music and Liverpool Arena exceeds all the requirements needed to stage a global event of this scale. We have been very impressed with the passion the city has shown in embracing the Contest and their inclusive ideas for placing last year’s winners, Ukraine, front and centre when thousands of fans visit next May."

EBU Director General Noel Curran added: “This will be the first Eurovision Song Contest to be held in the UK in 25 years and, as we work with our Host Broadcaster, the BBC to celebrate Ukraine’s victory, this unique production promises to be a very special one indeed.”

The BBC’s Director General, Tim Davie, said: “Congratulations to Liverpool. They will be an amazing host for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. Liverpool is such an exciting, warm and vibrant city. It’s the undisputed capital of pop music and is celebrating the 65th anniversary of its twinning with the Ukrainian city of Odesa. I know the people of Liverpool will welcome Europe – and the rest of the world – with open arms, and in partnership we will create something truly special.”

Unique Logo

To coincide with the announcement of the Host City, the EBU has released the official logo for the 67th Eurovision Song Contest, which contains the Ukrainian flag within the heart. The logo design reflects that although the competition will be held in the UK, it will be done on behalf of Ukraine, the winners of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.  

"Symbolic choice"

Mykola Chernotytskyi, Head of the Managing Board of UA:PBC said: "It is symbolic that the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Liverpool, a twin city of Odesa. The organization of a contest of this level sets super demanding requirements. I am confident that the city recognized as the capital of pop music will meet them in the best way and will deliver the celebration of music that will amaze both delegations and fans of Eurovision.” 

The UK will host the Eurovision Song Contest for a record 9th time having previously stepped in to host the event for other broadcasters in London in 1960 and 1963, in Edinburgh in 1972 and Brighton in 1974. The BBC also staged the Contest following 4 of their 5 wins: in London in 1968 and 1977, Harrogate in 1982 and Birmingham in 1998. 

Tickets are expected to go on sale for 9 shows, including dress rehearsals, in due course. 

Further details about the shows and accompanying events will be revealed in the coming weeks and months. For more details check out eurovision.tv and follow the official Eurovision Song Contest Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook channels.
 

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