Liverpool and Glasgow councils have welcomed the announcement that both cities are the remaining two contenders to host Eurovision 2023.
Following official presentations by shortlisted host cities last week, the BBC has confirmed that Liverpool and Glasgow have now made it through to the final stages of the bidding process.
Ukraine was originally set to host the competition after the Ukrainian group Kalush Orchestra won in Italy in 2022. However, Russia’s invasion means that the UK, which came second with Sam Ryder’s song Space Man, will host the 67th Eurovision.
Twenty venues have put in bids to host the competition. A final decision is expected soon.
Responding to the announcement that Liverpool was still in the running to be host, mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson said: ‘I’m so thrilled to hear Liverpool’s hopes of hosting Eurovision have moved a big step closer!
‘We all know our city is great at hosting big events – nobody throws a party like Liverpool – and the judges at Eurovision agree.
'From The Beatles, to Cream, to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra – Liverpool always moves to its own beat – and hosting Eurovision would write a brand-new chapter in our musical heritage.’
A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said it was ‘exciting’ to be one of the final two contenders to host Eurovision and said they were doing it on behalf of the Ukrainian people.
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— Glasgow City Council ???? (@GlasgowCC) September 27, 2022
