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Manchester in talks to host Eurovision 2023 after Ukraine ruled out
A number of major cities across the UK have bid to host the annual competition
Manchester City Council has shown an interest in hosting the next Eurovision Song Contest after Ukraine was forced to drop out.
Due to the ongoing war with Russia, organisers of the competition decided that 2022 winners Ukraine couldn’t safely host next year’s competition. It was then announced that the UK could potentially host the 2023 event, after singer Sam Ryder finished in second place.
Since Friday’s announcement, a number of cities have shown their interest in hosting the competition, Manchester included.
Leader of Manchester City Council Bev Craig wrote on Twitter: “Hello @bbceurovision this is Manchester calling.
“Not the circumstances that anyone would want given the war in Ukraine. But if it’s to be a UK city – I can’t think of anywhere better, a great music city and fittingly home to a large Ukrainian community.”
The idea to host the competition was backed by Councillor Pat Karney, who said he had been in talks with Craig over the weekend to discuss the finer details of a Manchester-held Eurovision.
Greater Manchester’s Night-time Economy Advisor Sacha Lord also supported the idea of bringing Eurovision to the region, writing on Twitter: Bringing @Eurovision @bbceurovision to Greater Manchester 2023, would be huge for our city region.
“We’re globally known for our music and I’m confident the right people would give it the full support, to make this happen.”
Liverpool has also bid to host the event, with the Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson saying: “We stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and would like the opportunity for Liverpool to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest and in doing so pay tribute to their wonderful country.
“We are an events city and no one can stage a party like us. Culture is synonymous with Liverpool and we tick all the boxes to be next year’s host – great venues, enviable experience, a world-renowned music heritage, UNESCO City of Music status and of course the warm Scouse welcome that just can’t be beaten.”
Eurovision tradition would see Ukraine host next year’s competition after Ukrainian band Kalush Orchestra won in Turin, Italy, this year.
However, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) concluded the ‘security and operational guarantees’ required to host the event cannot be met by Ukraine’s public broadcaster because of Russia’s invasion.
The UK last hosted from Birmingham in 1998 after Katrina and the Waves’ win. Harrogate, Brighton, Edinburgh and London have also been host cities.