Eurovision 2023: Manchester misses out on hosting Song Contest as Liverpool and Glasgow shortlisted

Glasgow and Liverpool have been shortlisted to host the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023.

The cities saw off competition from Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, Newcastle and Birmingham to make it to the final two today.

Ukraine won the contest last year but due to the ongoing conflict, it was decided to hold the contest elsewhere - and the UK was given the honour after Sam Ryder’s entry came second.

Manchester’s bid missed out despite the city having the largest capacity venue - the AO Arena - available for the live show next May, and having a large Ukrainian population.

Coun Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “We are of course disappointed not to be chosen to host next year’s Eurovision, but we know that the successful city will put on an incredible event on behalf of our friends in Ukraine. Good luck to Liverpool and Glasgow. We can’t wait to see what the chosen city has in store for the show next year.”

Who will choose the Eurovision host city?

The BBC and EBU will now make the final decision on which city will play host for the 2023 event.

Martin Österdahl, Executive Supervisor for the Eurovision Song Contest, thanked the competing cities, saying: “The EBU (European Broadcasting Union) would like to warmly thank all the seven British cities that put so much effort and enthusiasm into their bids to host next year’s Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine. We very much appreciate their cooperation and the quality and creativity of all the bids received.

“The Eurovision Song Contest is the most complex TV production in the world with very specific logistical requirements to accommodate around 40 delegations and thousands of crew, volunteers, press and fans.”

“We’re confident our final two cities are the best placed to meet this challenge and look forward to continuing our discussions to choose the one which will stage the world’s largest music event next May.”