Eurovision: Everything you need to know as we hit 2023

Last year’s winners Ukraine are among the countries who have already chosen their Eurovision entries for 2023 with Tvorchi singing the aptly named song, Heart of Steel.

Slovenia, Netherlands and Israel are already ahead of the game too having announced their Eurovision acts – and Strictly star Molly Rainford is being hotly tipped to represent the UK.

As we hit 2023, we’re all getting a little bit – okay very – excited about the contest coming to the city in May.

So, what else do we now know?

Timeline of what’s to come

Effectively, Eurovision is an internationally televised songwriting competition, organised by the European Broadcasting Union with contestants chosen by EBU member broadcasters representing their countries from across Europe and beyond.

Each participating broadcaster has until mid-March to choose a song and an artist to perform it, normally via a televised national selection show (or shows), an internal process, or via any other means they choose.

In January, the host broadcaster meets with their predecessor to symbolically mark the passing of the contest from one host city to the next.

And it’s at this event that the Semi-Final Allocation Draw takes place, which determines which country takes part in which of the two semi-finals to compete in their bid to get to the Grand Final on May 13.

Sonia pop-up

We can’t get enough of bubbly Sonia, so we love that Liverpool’s Eurovision team is planning loads of top events for the city – including a special culture trail featuring the Eurovision and Scouse legend.

The trail will involve 20 cut-outs of Sonia – who came second in 1993 with the UK’s entry, Better the Devil You Know – dotted around the city.

How the contest will work

We’re all realising now that Eurovision isn’t just one day but a series of shows and competitions leading up to the Grand Final. So here are all the stages…

• 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.”

EuroClub at Camp and Furnace 

Camp and Furnace will act as Liverpool’s Eurovision Song Contest EuroClub, the official venue chosen for Eurovision fans to come together to enjoy the event and soak up everything the city has to offer.

The OAGE (Organisation Générale des Amateurs de l’Eurovision) which is made up of 42 fan clubs from across the world made the decision to select the Baltic Triangle venue – which means it will be the place to party throughout Eurovision Week.

Every night from Friday, May 5 to Saturday, May 13 EuroClub will be opening its doors for the
thousands of fans heading to Merseyside. 

EuroClub has been a staple of Eurovision week for years, inviting fans to party and
celebrate their shared love of the contest, and the OGAE Hosting Committee has already promised a great line-up of the best Eurovision DJs around, along with amazing live acts and special appearances
from Eurovision people past and present.

Tickets will go on sale in the New Year with daily and weekly options, and there’ll be a
pre-sale allocation for OGAE members.

Camp and Furnace will also offer clubs from across the OGAE network the chance to hold daytime
parties and events.

Cultural festival to take place 

Liverpool has announced it’ll host a major cultural festival to run alongside Eurovision, and has encouraged artists and creatives from all competing nations to take part and come up with the best entertaining and diverse ideas (closing date for the first stage was December 12).

The festival will include a series of commissions, events and installations which will celebrate UK music, Eurovision and, most importantly, act as a platform for showcasing modern Ukraine.

Mayor of Liverpool, Joanne Anderson, said:

“The cultural festival was one of the highlights of our bid. Liverpool’s track record of curating innovative, high-quality artistic events combined with our ambition and determination to pay tribute to our Ukrainian friends stood out to the judges.”

“This is a city that thrives on creativity and is willing to push boundaries, so we are excited to unleash the potential of artists from across the world.”

Are tickets on sale yet?

No – it’s still early, so chill. BUT to be the first to know when tickets do 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.