Eurovision 2023: Which UK cities have what it takes to host?
The Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will not be held in Ukraine. The EBU is now in talks with the United Kingdom's BBC to discuss the possibilities of having this year's runner-up hosting the event. This begs the question: which UK cities have what it takes to host Eurovision 2023?
Not a lot is known about next year's Eurovision Song Contest. As of now, the only known fact is that Ukraine will not be hosting Eurovision 2023, despite Kalush Orchestra's victory in Turin with the song "Stefania."
Along with the news, the EBU also stated that discussions with United Kingdom broadcaster BBC will soon begin on studying the possibilities of having the United Kingdom host the show after Sam Ryder's "Space Man" was the runner-up of Eurovision 2022.
If the United Kingdom is to host Eurovision 2023, let's have a look at the possible cities, taking into consideration the EBU's main requirements for the host city:
- A host venue able to accommodate at least 10,000 spectators.
- A press center for 1,500 journalists (even if only 500 were allowed in last year's press center).
- A city served by an international airport.
- Hotel accommodation for at least 2,000 delegates, journalists and spectators.
It shouldn't be a problem for multiple British cities to fulfill those requirements, and odds have already been launched on which city should host the event. But let's take a closer look at the possible options.
Glasgow
Glasgow is the biggest city in Scotland, and the fourth most populous city in the United Kingdom. It is the fifth most visited city in the UK, and has more than 15,000 hotel rooms throughout the Greater Glasgow area.
The city is notable for its architecture, culture, media, music scene, sports clubs, and transportation connections. The city was the European Capital of Culture in 1990, and hosts various renowned cultural institutions like The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, The Scottish Ballet, and The Scottish Opera.
Glasgow has a large urban transport system and is served by two international airports, all roughly 45 minutes away from the city center. Glasgow international airport is approximately 20 minutes drive from the OVO Hydro arena.
Ovo Hydro
Glasgow wants Eurovision Song Contest 2023 to be held in the Ovo Hydro arena, the largest entertainment venue in Scotland.
The arena opened its doors in 2013, can hold up to 14,300 spectators at its maximum, and attracts over 1 million visitors annually.
The Ovo Hydro is probably familiar to the Eurovision fans who have watched the movie "Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga," where some of the movie was shot.
Huge names have performed in the arena, to mention a few: Maroon 5, Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, Dolly Parton, Lady Gaga, Ed Sheeran, Kylie Minogue, Ariana Grande, Elton John, Madonna, U2, Adele, Justin Bieber, The Weeknd, Michael Bublé, Cher, Céline Dion...
In 2014 the arena hosted the MTV Europe Music Awards.
From Glasgow City Center, it takes around 20 minutes to walk to Ovo Hydro (2.5 km). It is served by the Exhibition Centre railway station.
Liverpool
Liverpool has evolved from its industrial past to become one of Britain's most thriving and dynamic cultural hubs.
Liverpool's metropolitan area is the fifth largest in the United Kingdom, with a population of 2.2 million, and in 2019 was the fifth most visited city in the UK. Liverpool has a big connection with the world of arts, especially with music as it is the "home" of The Beatles.
Liverpool is a UNESCO City of Music, and the heart of the community is still the football club, Liverpool F.C.
The city was the European Capital of Culture in 2008, and has more galleries and museums than any other UK city but London: Museum of Liverpool, Spaceport Planetarium, Tate Liverpool, to name a few.
The city features an efficient public transportation network, and the Liverpool John Lennon Airport is connected to numerous international destinations.
Liverpool Arena
M&S Bank Arena, previously Echo Arena
The Liverpool Arena, also called "M&S Bank Arena," is part of Exhibition Centre Liverpool and is located in central Liverpool right next to River Mersey. The arena opened in 2008, and has a capacity of 11,000.
It hosted the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2008 and has hosted huge concerts such as Andrea Bocelli, Beyoncé, Elton John, Kanye West, Kasabian, The Killers, Lady Gaga, Oasis, Pink, Rihanna...
Since the opening in 2008, the complex has attracted more than 8 million visitors to around 4,500 events.
Direct public transport to the M&S Bank Arena is by bus. James Street railway station is a short walk away and is served by the Merseyrail Wirral Line. The station is two stops away from Liverpool Lime Street mainline station.
ELIMINATED CITIES
After the first shortlist was announced on 12 August, and the latest reduction on 27 September, there are several host city candidates that have been eliminated from the race:
Aberdeen
Eliminated on 12 August
Abardeen's politicians are certainly ready to bid to host the show. As soon as the news concerning the possibility of having the United Kingdom hosting Eurovision, six Aberdeen politicians put their name to a joint letter arguing that the BBC brings Eurovision to the city. That seems, nonetheless, unlikely at first.
The city is located in northeast Scotland, and its airport, the Aberdeen Airport, serves both national and international flights and is located just 9 km from the city center. As for the transportation network, it isn't Aberdeen's strongest asset when compared to the remaining candidates.
Regardless, the P&J Live arena could certainly be used to host the show as it has capacity for 15,000 people.
Belfast
Eliminated on 12 August
It also doesn't seem like the most obvious choice, and would be rather unlikely to have the biggest city in Northern Ireland, part of the UK, hosting Eurovision, but councillors have already expressed their reasons on why Eurovision should be held in Belfast:
– Belfast already has a successful history of hosting large global events, such as the Giro d’Italia in 2014 or the MTV EMA awards in 2011, they said in a letter to the Belfast City Council.
Even though the Belfast International Airport offers both domestic and international flights, the city does not feature the most efficient transportation network when compared to others, and the car-dependency does back up that idea.
Nonetheless, just like Aberdeen, the SSE Arena would be capable of hosting Eurovision 2023.
Birmingham
Eliminated on 27 September
4.3 million people live within Birmingham's metropolitan area, making it one of the largest cities in the country. The city is well served by public transportation, and Birmingham Airport is located just 9.7 km away from the city center, which is also one of the busiest airports in the UK.
As for possible venues, Utilita Arena Birmingham or Resorts World Arena could do the job with availability for 15,800 people and 15,685 respectively, even if the bid should fall within the latter.
On top of all that, Birmingham served as the host city back in 1998, and a campaign has already been launched to bring the contest back to the city.
Bristol
Eliminated on 12 August
Bristol is also calling.
Marvin Rees – the mayor of the city – announced that he's also submitting a bid so that the city has a possibility of hosting the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.
The YLT Arena Bristol, currently being built, will be able to accommodate up to 17,000 people, and will be the arena used for the bid.
The city has its own international airport with direct flights to the majority of countries competing at the Eurovision Song Contest, but it can also be served by other airports such as Heathrow, Cardiff, Exeter, and Birmingham.
In fact, Bristol's Harbour Festival, Bristol Balloon Fiesta or Bristol Pride are good examples of the city's ability to host a big event.
Cardiff
Eliminated on 12 August
A spokesman for the Principality Stadium in Cardiff has also expressed the willingness to host the Eurovision Song Contest:
– We have a 20-year history of successfully hosting the biggest music artists and sporting events in the world, and to add Eurovision, the world's biggest and much-loved music competition to the list, would be the cherry on top of the last two decades.
The Principality Stadium is not an arena, and that could make Cardiff fall from the possibilities. Being a stadium (with a closable roof), it would have its own challenges for the production, but could easily host over 73,000 people, a rather large number by Eurovision standards.
The city is well served by public transportation, and its airport, the Cardiff Airport, does connect the city with the world by having both domestic and international flights.
Leeds
Eliminated on 27 September
Part of West Yorkshire, the fourth-largest urban area in the United Kingdom with 1.7 million inhabitants, Leeds is already on the run to host Eurovision 2023.
The city's airport – Leeds Bradford International Airport – is located 13 km away from the city center and has over 70 international destinations. Despite not having a metro system, it has one of the busiest railway stations outside of London.
The First Direct Arena can host up to 13,781 spectators, and has been nominated as one of England's greatest landmarks.
London
Eliminated on 12 August
It certainly needs no introductions despite the fact that Eurovision hasn't been held in a country's capital since Eurovision 2018.
London is the capital and largest city of the United Kingdom with a population of over 9 million people. The city does feature all of the requirements determined by the EBU, and could host Eurovision in one of the following two venues: the O2 Arena or the Ovo Arena Wembley.
The city's mayor has already expressed his interest in hosting the show.
Manchester
Eliminated on 27 September
Another option on the list is Manchester, one more city within the United Kingdom that does not need big introductions.
With great public transportation services including trains, buses and trams, the Manchester Airport is the third busiest in the country with many international destinations that could easily serve the delegations and fans.
Just like many others, the city's mayor has also expressed his interest in bringing the show to the city. The AO Arena could serve as the host venue with a capacity for 21,000 people.
Newcastle
Eliminated on 27 September
Smaller than many mentioned so far, Newcastle comes next on the list mainly due to the fact that it has a suitable arena.
The Utilitia Arena would be the chosen venue as it has a capacity for 11,400 people.
On top of that, the Newcastle International Airport is one of the main airports in the country, handling over 5 million passengers per year, and with over 90 destinations worldwide. Its public transportation service is also quite complete and efficient.
No word or interest has been expressed so far by officials.
Nottingham
Eliminated on 12 August
Not a word of interest has been made public about Nottingham, but the city does feature an arena capable of hosting the event: the Motorpoint Arena.
The Motorpoint Arena is the smallest one so far, and is capable of hosting up to 10,000 people. As for accessibility, the East Midlands Airport would serve the Eurofans and delegations.
Sheffield
Eliminated on 27 September
With a green area of 61%, Sheffield could also host the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.
Councillors have already launched a campaign for the city to host next year’s Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine and, in fact, the Sheffield Arena could serve the purpose as it has a capacity for 13,600 people.
The public transportation network is also versatile, and the closest airport – Doncaster Sheffield Airport – is 29 km away from the city center.
