The BBC have announced that the previous shortlist of 7 cities, has been whittled down to just 2 – Glasgow and Liverpool – for the host city of the 67th Eurovision Song Contest.
The news comes a month-and-a-half after the original shortlist of Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield was released by the BBC. Now, after heavy consideration, the BBC have narrowed it down to just Glasgow and Liverpool.
Thanks to all 7 cities across the UK who have demonstrated the enthusiasm and passion for Eurovision that exists right across the UK. We were incredibly impressed by the quality and creativity of all the city bids, in what was a highly competitive field. The Eurovision Song Contest is a very complex event and Liverpool and Glasgow have the strongest overall offer; we will continue our discussions with them to determine the eventual host city.
We are determined to make the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest one that both reflects the winning position of Ukraine and is also an event that all of the UK can participate in.
Phil Harrold, the chair of the BBC’s Host City Selection Committee
Glasgow had been the clear favourite since before the BBC were even handed the contest, but recently, in the last few days, Liverpool had overturned that lead and has risen to the top of the odds.
Glasgow’s main strengths all seem to be present in Liverpool, as well, leaving Glasgow’s gaping weaknesses open to be seen. The main issue seems to be with the arena, which has an unappreciated lack of floor space, as seen even in its use for Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, barely allowing room for the Tel Aviv stage.
Glasgow also suffers from the fact that it’s much harder to get to, especially from elsewhere in the UK, than Liverpool. Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena lacks the issue of the Hydro, with a large floor space and very similar dimensions, as a whole, to the PalaOlimpico in Turin. Liverpool also has a rich history of music, especially due to its connection to the Beatles, and it’s a UNESCO City of Music. Additionally, Liverpool is twinned with the Ukrainian city of Odessa, whereas Glasgow have tried to cash in on a similar claim by pointing out that Edinburgh (which they’re near to) is twinned with Kyiv… which isn’t quite the same.
With an announcement likely before the end of next week, all signs lead to it being Liverpool.
