Eurovision 2023: What we know so far

Well first things first, and what we certainly know so far – and if you don’t, where have you been?!!! – is that Liverpool is hosting Eurovision 2023.

We were named hosts by Graham Norton on Friday night after being chosen from an initial 20 bidding cities, before being selected as one of the final seven and beating Glasgow in the final stage of this epic competition.

The city has been celebrating all weekend and the work starts now to put Liverpool centre stage, putting on one of the most famous music competitions and, most importantly of all, paying homage to this year’s winners, Ukraine.

When is Eurovision 2023 being held?

The final of Eurovision 2023 will be held on Saturday, May 13 – but it’s not just about one day. The semi-finals of the competition will be held on Tuesday, May 9, and Thursday, May 11.

Where will it be staged?

The venue will be the waterfront M&S Bank Arena, and the ACC Liverpool Conference Centre.

How important is this for the city?

In a word, says Claire McColgan, Director of Culture for Liverpool: “It’s HUGE! It’s just going to be phenomenal.”

It’s like Capital of Culture all over again, says Claire, and it will remind people of just how amazing the city is and have massive repercussions: “How beautiful is that city. How incredible is that city. I’m going to visit that city. I’m going to invest in that city.

“Having big events like this are a huge catalyst for what we can say about ourselves. That’s what European Capital of Culture did, and this is what Eurovision will do.

“And it’s about music, and unity, and fun, and joy and compassion, which is what we are about as a city, and what we can offer to Ukraine.”

It’s not just about Liverpool 

Liverpool is hosting on behalf of the UK for winners Ukraine, because of the ongoing war there.

Claire says: “This is for them. The arena is their house!!”

What happens now? 

Works starts today on planning the music extravaganza of the year in 2023. For the next two weeks meetings will be held and final plans made about what exactly Eurovision will look like in the city, with local officials and with the BBC and the European Broadcasting Union; and then development for and of the Eurovision programme will begin.

How supportive has the city been?

According to Claire, the city is 100% behind Eurovision. “The love that came out from the bars, the restaurants, the ‘powsers’, was phenomenal and when you know you have got those hands behind you it makes everything easier.”

Have hotel prices gone up – and will rooms be available for Eurovision?

Liverpool BID Company has been working with hoteliers across Liverpool City Region to ensure that while some accommodation providers will raise rates, many rates will be fixed. Chief Executive Bill Addy says: “Rooms will be available for the organisers, for the various competitors; but we are part of a city region and this is one time when you realise we are close to Southport, we are close to the Wirral, Runcorn, St Helens, and Knowsley, all of those areas where there are hotel rooms available and with ideal connectivity back into the city.” 

How many people will see the Eurovision Song Contest?

It will be all eyes on Liverpool in May 2023 – Eurovision will be screened to 161 million people around the globe.

When can I get tickets and how much will they be?

Ticket prices, availability, and even the ticket provider, are unknown yet as organisers work out how much space is needed for the production inside the venue. 

And, just to let you know there’ll be lots of chances to get tickets. The Eurovision Song Contest isn’t just one Saturday night spectacular there are actually 9 shows across the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday of Eurovision week that you can get tickets for!

What are the nine shows tickets will be available for?

* First Semi-Final: Tuesday 9 May: Live TV Show (Tuesday 9 evening); Jury Show (Monday 8 evening); Family Show (Tuesday 9 afternoon).

* Second Semi-Final: Thursday 11 May: Live TV Show (Thursday 11 evening); Jury Show (Wednesday 10 evening); Family Show (Thursday 11 afternoon).

* Grand Final: Saturday 13 May: Live TV Show (Saturday 13 evening); Jury Show (Friday 12 evening); Family Show (Saturday 13 afternoon).

Organisers say: “The Jury Show is a full run through of the show that takes place the night before the televised version. It’s when the international juries cast their votes for the participants. Audiences can stay for a randomised version of the qualifier/points reveals, as the presenters practise for different scenarios.

“The Family Show is a full run through of the show that takes place earlier in the day of the Live TV Show; it serves as one final rehearsal for the artists and crew, and as the name suggests, it’s much more convenient for those who wish to bring younger Eurovision fans. Again, the Family Show features a randomly generated presentation of the qualifiers and points.

“The Live TV Show is exactly that: a live television show. Audiences across Europe (and Australia) will get to cast their votes to add to the Jury scores.”

How can I find out when tickets are released for sale?

To be the first to know when Eurovision Song Contest 2023 tickets go on sale, you need to sign up to the official Eurovision Song Contest newsletter and subscribe to its social media channels. Along with Along with Eurovision.tv – and us! – these will be the first places announcements will be made.