The EBU and BBC are excited to reveal that Liverpool has been chosen as the Host City of the 67th Eurovision Song Contest, following a competitive bidding process. 

• Home of The Beatles to host 67th Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine
• 2023 event to take place on Tuesday 9, Thursday 11 and Saturday 13 May
• Special logo created to mark unique event 

The 2023 competition will take place in the United Kingdom, following Kalush Orchestra’s victory for Ukraine in Turin in May, after it was concluded that the event could not be held in the winning country for safety and security reasons. 

The Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will take place at the Liverpool Arena next to the River Mersey on Saturday 13 May with Semi-Finals on 9 and 11 May.

The BBC, together with the EBU, will organize the event next year in consultation with UA:PBC, Ukraine’s public broadcaster. 

Liverpool was chosen following a strong city bid process that examined facilities at the venue, the ability to accommodate thousands of visiting delegations, crew, fans and journalists, infrastructure, and the cultural offer of the Host City in reflecting Ukraine’s win in 2022, amongst other criteria.

A shortlist of 7 cities which included Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, and Newcastle, was announced in August before being narrowed down to 2 in September. 

Glasgow and Liverpool were then left in the race to host the world’s largest live music event, which reached over 175 million viewers on TV and online in 2022.

"Ideal place" 

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.”

The BBC’s Director General, Tim Davie, said: “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.”

Unique Logo

To coincide with the announcement of the Host City, the EBU has released the official logo for the 67th Eurovision 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.  

"Symbolic choice"

Mykola Chernotytskyi, Head of the Managing Board of UA:PBC said: "It is symbolic that the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Liverpool, a twin city of Odesa. The organization of a contest of this level sets super demanding requirements. I am confident that the city recognized 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.” 

The UK will host the Eurovision Song Contest for a record 9th time having previously stepped in to host the event for other broadcasters in London in 1960 and 1963, in Edinburgh in 1972 and Brighton in 1974. The BBC also staged the Contest following 4 of their 5 wins: in London in 1968 and 1977, Harrogate in 1982 and Birmingham in 1998. 

Tickets are expected to go on sale for 9 shows, including dress rehearsals, in due course. 

Further details about the shows and accompanying events will be revealed in the coming weeks and months. For more details check out eurovision.tv and follow the official Eurovision Song Contest Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook channels.