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Lucy Brown
Features Writer
8:30 AM 12th August 2022
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Race Begins To Host Eurovision 2023

 
Five out of the seven cities that have made it on to the Shortlist to host Eurovision 2023 are in the North.

The BBC and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) have announced that Birmingham, Glasgow, and in the area covered by the p.ublished group of online newspapers, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield have all been accepted as Shortlisted Host Cities for the Eurovision Song Contest set to take place in the United Kingdom in May 2023.

The shortlist was revealed on the Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2, with a guest appearance from Eurovision Song Contest Executive Supervisor Martin Österdahl, declaring the Host City race ‘good to go’!

The BBC had expressions of interest from 20 cities, across all four nations of the United Kingdom: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. All applicants demonstrated how they would reflect Ukrainian culture, music and communities to mark the fact that Ukraine are the winners of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

The 7 cities were shortlisted based on their ability to meet a set of minimum requirements that demonstrate they have the capacity, capability and experience to host an event of this scale and complexity. Given the short period of time available until the event will be staged, the selection process was heavily weighted towards demonstrating past experience in hosting major international events, as well as being able to demonstrate credentials in hosting a celebration of contemporary music.

The 7 Shortlisted Host Cities will now go through to the second and final stage, where they will be asked to develop their bids in more detail. The selection of the Host City for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will be decided by the BBC in conjunction with the EBU, and the successful city will be announced in the Autumn.

The final decision on the winning Host City will be determined by which city or region scores highest against an agreed evaluation criteria, assessed by the BBC.

These criteria include:

Having a suitable venue and sufficient space to deliver the requirements of the Eurovision Song Contest
The commitment that can be made by a city or region to hosting the event, including the financial contribution
The strength of the cultural offer which includes off screen local and regional activity as well as showcasing Ukrainian culture and music
Alignment with the BBC’s strategic priorities as a public service broadcaster, such as providing value to all audiences and supporting the creative economy in the UK.