10 things you need to know about the Eurovision handover to Liverpool

The Eurovision handover from Turin to Liverpool takes place o Tuesday 31 January 2023

We’re less than a week away from the Eurovision handover – and if we’re SO excited about this, what on earth will we be like when it comes to the contest itself??!!

The handover kicks everything off.

It’s the first event of the year as we begin the countdown to Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool, so here’s 10 things you need to know…

When is the handover?

The handover will take place live on Tuesday, January 31, at 7pm.

What happens?

The Mayor of 2022 Host City Turin, Stefano Lo Russo, will hand over the official keys of the Eurovision Song Contest, known as the Insignia, to the Mayor of Liverpool, Joanne Anderson.

Does anything else happen?

It really does! The allocation draw is also held to determine which country will compete in which Semi-Final of the Contest when it takes place in May, as well as deciding which Semi-Final the ‘Big 5’ – Spain, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy – and 2022 winners, Ukraine, will vote in.

How many countries will go into the draw?

Altogether, 37 countries will take part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 and 31 will go into the draw for the Semi-Finals (May 9 and 11) with 10 from each semi-final progressing to the Grand Final on May 13. The ‘Big 5’ and Ukraine automatically qualify to compete in the Grand Final.

Can I watch it?

Yes you can. The event will be broadcast live to BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. You will also be able to follow the event as it unfolds with live text commentary on the BBC News website live page.

Who is presenting the show?

Rylan Clark and AJ Odudu will head to the city to host the Handover and Allocation event and conduct the live draw, helped by pupils from a Liverpool school and members of the Ukrainian community who have settled in the city since the outbreak of the conflict.

Slogan revealed

The January 31 programme will also unveil the new look and slogan for the 2023 Contest.

What did Rylan say?

The Radio 2 and Strictly It Takes Two host is thrilled to be presenting the handover: “From being part of the UK delegation since 2018, Eurovision has become such a big part of my life. I’m so excited to be presenting the handover and allocation draw which symbolises the start of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023; the year the United Kingdom hosts Ukraine’s party. It’s going to be an amazing year for Eurovision. I genuinely can’t wait.”

New podcast

January 31 will also see the launch of the BBC’s Eurovision podcast, Eurovisioncast, made by the team behind hit podcasts Newscast and Ukrainecast. It will have four hosts: Eurovision winner Måns Zelmerlöw; Eurovision fan, BBC Breakfast’s Nina Warhurst; BBC News’ Eurovision Reporter Daniel Rosney, and Radio Merseyside presenter, Liverpudlian Ngunan Adamu. Eurovisioncast will bring the inside gossip on plans and unique insights on the competition, and listeners will also hear from former contestants, those set to take part in the 2023 Contest, and celebrity fans.