Eurovision Song Contest 2023: Shortlist of host cities revealed

If you cast your minds back to May, Saturday 14th to be precise, Ukraine were crowned the 2022 winners of the Eurovision Song Contest in Italy, with UK entry Sam Ryder sending fans into a frenzy as he finished in second place with his hit song 'Space Man'. But where will the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 take place?

Well, we're getting that bit closer to finding out, as the shortlist of host cities has finally been revealed. Seven cities have been listed as contenders to host the 2023 ceremony, bringing the Eurovision Song Contest to the UK for the ninth time in total - more than any other country.

Eurovision 2023: Shortlist of host cities

Check out the full list of the seven host cities...

Birmingham

Glasgow

Leeds

Liverpool

Manchester

Newcastle

Sheffield

Is the UK hosting Eurovision 2023?

Usually, the country who wins the contest gets the pleasure of hosting the competition the year after, but on 25th July the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) officially confirmed the UK will host the contest, due to Ukraine's ongoing conflict with Russia. That just leaves one question on all of our lips - which city will be the host?!

Which city will host Eurovision 2023?

Although it hasn't yet been revealed which city the contest will take place in, it was confirmed that Host City bidding began on the week commencing 25th July 2022, with the shortlist of seven cities announced on 12th August.

Ukraine will automatically qualify for the Grand Final along with ‘Big 5’ (which includes United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, France and Italy.

It's also been confirmed that representatives of UA: PBC will work with the BBC to develop Ukrainian elements of shows.

Which cities are in the running?

16 cities in the UK were initially in the running to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, including: Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield and Wolverhampton.

The shortlist of seven host cities was later revealed on 12th August, including: Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield.

Where did the UK place in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022?

The United Kingdom finished in second place during this year's contest, the highest since Katrina and the Waves won the contest back in 1997 with the song 'Love Shine A Light'.

Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra were crowned the winners of the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest with their song 'Stefania'.

The EBU's statement about the Eurovision Song Contest 2023

Earlier this year, the EBU released a statement to confirm the BBC were in talks to host the 2023 contest in the UK.

The statement read: 'Following their win at the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in May the EBU has been exploring options for the hosting of next year’s competition with Ukraine’s public broadcaster UA:PBC, who previously staged the event in 2017 and 2005.

'It has become a well-known tradition that the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest hosts the competition the following year, providing certain criteria including ensuring the viability of staging the event and the safety of all stakeholders, including the public, are met.

'Given the ongoing war since the Russian invasion of this year’s winning country, the EBU has taken the time to conduct a full assessment and feasibility study with both UA:PBC and third-party specialists including on safety and security issues.

'The Eurovision Song Contest is one of the most complex TV productions in the world with thousands working on, and attending, the event and 12 months of preparation time needed.

'Following objective analysis, the Reference Group, the ESC’s governing board, has with deep regret concluded that, given the current circumstances, the security and operational guarantees required for a broadcaster to host, organize and produce the Eurovision Song Contest under the ESC Rules cannot be fulfilled by UA:PBC.

'The EBU would like to thank UA:PBC for their wholehearted cooperation and commitment in exploring all scenarios in the weeks since Kalush Orchestra’s win on 14 May in Turin and share their sadness and disappointment that next year’s Contest cannot be held in Ukraine.

'The EBU has been supporting UA:PBC across a whole range of areas since the invasion. We will ensure that this support continues so UA:PBC can maintain the indispensable service they provide to Ukrainians.'

The statement went on to reveal the EBU were in discussions with the BBC, for the potential of the Eurovision Song Contest to be held in the United Kingdom in 2023.

It goes on to say: 'As a result of this decision, in accordance with the rules and to ensure the continuity of the event, the EBU will now begin discussions with the BBC, as this year’s runner up, to potentially host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in the United Kingdom.

'It is our full intention that Ukraine’s win will be reflected in next year’s shows. This will be a priority for us in our discussions with the eventual hosts.'

It was later confirmed on 25th July that the UK were to host the Eurovision Song Content 2023.

Check out the most watched Eurovision performances of all time:

It will be confirmed at a later date which city in the UK will host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest.

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• Eurovision Song Contest
• Eurovision
• sam ryder