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Liverpool to host 2023 Eurovision Song Contest

October 7, 2022

Liverpool has been selected as the Host City for the 67th Eurovision Song Contest, following a tight bidding race with the city of Glasgow.

The Grand Final will be held on May 13th with Semi-Finals taking place on May 9th and 11th.

The UK is hosting the contest on behalf of 2022 winners Ukraine. The BBC, together with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), will organise the Contest in consultation with UA:PBC, Ukraine’s public broadcaster.

For audiences in the UK, for the first time the two Semi-Finals on Tuesday May 9th and Thursday May 11th and the Grand Final will all be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

To coincide with the announcement of the host city, the EBU has released the official logo for the 2023 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.

Tim Davie, BBC Director-General says: “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.”

“Вітаю Ліверпуль. Він стане прекрасним господарем для Пісенного конкурсу Євробачення – 2023. Ліверпуль— таке захоплююче, щире та яскраве місто. Це беззаперечна столиця поп-музики, що відзначає 65-у річницю братання з українським містом Одеса. Я впевнений, що ліверпульці зустрінуть Європу та весь світ з відкритими обіймами, і у партнерстві ми створимо щось дійсно особливе.”

Kate Phillips, BBC’s Director Unscripted Content says: “We are delighted to be working with Liverpool to host the Eurovision Song Contest next year, on behalf of Ukraine. Liverpool, and the BBC, will do everything to ensure that this special occasion, fully reflects Ukrainian culture, music and communities. We will absolutely get this right. I’m also thrilled that both Semi-Finals and the Grand Final will be shown to UK audiences live on BBC One.”

Phil Harrold, chair of the BBC’s Host City Selection Committee says: “We had incredible bids from across the UK. To win under such tough competition shows just how strong Liverpool’s bid is. I want to thank all the cities that bid to host the Song Contest, on behalf of Ukraine. While there could only be one host, the quality of the bids shows just how much the UK has to offer. “

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.”

Mykola Chernotytskyi, Head of the Managing Board of Suspilne Ukraine: “It is symbolic that the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Liverpool, a twin city of our Odesa. The organisation of a contest of this level sets super demanding requirements. I am confident that the city recognised 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.”

“Символічно, що Пісенний конкурс Євробачення-2023 відбудеться в Ліверпулі – місті-побратимі нашої Одеси. До організації конкурсу такого рівня є надскладні вимоги. Я впевнений, що місто, визнане столицею поп-музики, найкраще з ними впорається та подарує музичне свято, від якого будуть у захваті як команди учасників, так шанувальники Євробачення”.

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