It was announced on BBC One’s The One Show this evening, by Graham Norton, that Liverpool will host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest, on behalf of Ukraine.
Liverpool was selected, from an initial shortlist of 7 cities, which was whittled down to just two, Liverpool and Glasgow, last week.
The Grand Final will take place in the M&S Bank Arena (which will be referred to as Liverpool Arena for the duration of the contest) on 13 May with Semi-Finals on Tuesday 9 and Thursday 11 May.
BBC One will also broadcast the Semi Finals for the first time in Eurovision history, having previously been consigned to BBC Three and BBC Four. Graham Norton is expected to commentate on the Semi Finals, for the first time, as well.
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. 
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.
Martin Österdahl, Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest
Due to the special circumstances of the hosting of the contest, both the logo and name is different to the standard, we’ve become used to. The flag in the Eurovision logo, which is normally that of the host country is instead of last year’s winner, Ukraine. It was expected that some sort of split flag design logo would be used, but instead the BBC and the EBU have opted for a complete Ukrainian flag. To reflect the UK’s hosting, the name has been altered on the logo, with the contest now called Eurovision Song Contest: United Kingdom – Liverpool 2023. While not necessarily an ideal solution, the powers that be have deemed it a better alternative to using two flags in the heart.
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.
Tim Davie, Director General – British Broadcasting Corporation
Like Maastricht, three years ago, it’s widely believed that Glasgow missed out, in a large part, due to the difficulties of travelling there, from around the UK. For many across the UK, in normal times, it would’ve been quicker and cheaper to travel to Kyiv than Glasgow. Liverpool on the other hand is close to the borders of both Wales and Scotland, and is one of the main ports used when travelling to Northern Ireland.
Additionally, it was believed there were issues with the floor space in Glasgow’s OVO Hyrdo Arena. The size of Liverpool Arena is far more comparable to the Rotterdam Ahoy and Turin’s PalaOlimpico.
Updates on the contest, from Theme Art to the Slogan to the Presenters are expected before the end of the calendar year.
