Newcastle confirms official bid to host Eurovision Song Contest 2023
The city will be bidding to host the competition - as the UK takes on the responsibility from winners Ukraine
It's official - Newcastle is in the running to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2023!
Newcastle City Council has announced today (8 August) that Newcastle will officially be bidding to host the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023.
The announcement follows a flurry of excitement as cities across the UK throw their hats in to the ring to become the next host of this international competition.
The UK offered to host Eurovision 2023 as runners up with Sam Ryder’s hit ‘Spaceman’. after it was confirmed that 2022 winners, Ukraine, would be unable to host the competition next year due to the ongoing Russian invasion.
Newcastle is up against competition from towns and cities across the UK including, Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester and London.
NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI) is delivering the bid on behalf of Newcastle City Council.
Cabinet Member for a Resilient City, Cllr Alex Hay, Newcastle City Council, said:
“We are delighted to be bidding to host Eurovision 2023 on behalf of Ukraine and stand in solidarity with its people. We are collaborating with partners across the region to help make this a reality for Newcastle, to do Ukraine proud and to embody everything that Eurovision stands for.
“We’re committed to making Newcastle a better place for our residents and visitors, and hosting Eurovision will be a crucial tool in achieving that.
“It will not only showcase the city and its incredible people on a global stage, but it will have a tangible social and economic impact in bringing financial investment into the city, helping change perceptions of the North East, and build a lasting legacy for our city.
“We have a strong record of hosting national and international events such as World Transplant Games, Exhibition of the North, European Professional Club Rugby and Rugby World Cup.
"Newcastle is a gateway to the rest of the UK, with a major international airport and excellent connectivity across the region, making it an accessible destination for people from all over the world.
“We are a certified City of Sanctuary, which strengthens our message that everyone is welcome here. Music is a big part of our heritage and it’s time for us to write a new verse in that history.
“We are Newcastle, we are a safe city, famous for our Geordie welcome, we stand united with Ukraine – and we are the perfect host for Eurovision 2023.”
The list of shortlisted cities will be publicly announced on the morning of Friday 12 August.