Eurovision Song Contest 2023 unveils shortlist of UK cities to host

It’s official: the Eurovision Song Contest will not take place in London.

A shortlist of potential host cities was presented on Friday morning and, as was widely expected, the UK capital was left out.

Instead, the seven UK cities yet to fight to host the competition are Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield. The news comes as UK public broadcasters scramble to decentralize broadcasting away from London.

📢 It’s OFFICIAL. Seven UK cities – Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield – are shortlisted to host the #EM Song Contest 2023 🎤
Read more ➡️ pic.twitter.com/qkLUiSjwPX

– BBC Press Office (@bbcpress) August 12, 2022

Cardiff were also in the running to host but withdrew earlier this month, citing the fact that their biggest venue, Principality Stadium, would have had to cancel a “significant number” of events.

Traditionally, the 2023 competition should have been held in Ukraine after their victory at this year’s competition, but due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, the European Broadcasting Union, which organizes the competition, felt it was too much of a security risk.

Instead, the competition will be held in Britain, which took second place, likely with an infusion of Ukrainian culture.

Wrangling over whether or not Ukraine will host has meant the UK has had less time than usual to organize the competition, with the biggest venues in all shortlisted cities all holding events ahead of time during the traditional six-week window organized the competition in April/May.

These include Magic Mike at Leeds First Direct Arena on April 29, Celine Dion at Glasgow OVO Hydro on April 2-3 and Rob Beckett & Josh Widdicombe at Manchester AO Arena on April 14.

It’s unclear if the winning city will have to cancel pre-planned events at their chosen venue or find a way to reorganize them.