The Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Liverpool, England next year. This was announced by actor and TV presenter Graham Norton on behalf of the BBC on Friday evening on the “BBC One Show”. May 13th was set as the date. Previously, the Scottish city of Glasgow had also been shortlisted. In 2023, Great Britain will step in as the host country of the ESC for Ukraine, which won the competition in Turin with the Kalush Orchestra.
It is already the ninth time that the ESC will take place in the UK. However, Liverpool is the host city for the first time. Several ESC fans had gathered in the port city for the BBC broadcast in the evening, and they burst into cheers after the decision.
For security reasons, the event cannot be celebrated in the still-contested Ukraine. Great Britain, as the runner-up, already offered the hosting months ago. The British have often stepped in for other countries. The BBC expects 160 million TV viewers around the world to follow the major event.
“It’s Ukraine’s party. We’re just inviting them to throw it at our house,” said this year’s ESC runner-up Sam Ryder after the decision to host Great Britain. “We know how to party here in the UK.” Despite the postponement, the contest will celebrate Ukrainian culture, history and music.
Home of the Beatles, Liverpool has a long and rich musical history, attracting visitors from all over the world each year. Liverpool even sent local musicians into the race at past Eurovision Song Contests. Singer Sonia took second place with “Better the Devil You Know” in 1993. The band Jemini, also from Liverpool, competed in 2003 but only came last. According to the BBC, the spectacle is to take place at the port of Liverpool in the M&S Bank Arena, which can hold 11,000 spectators.