For Eurovision 2014, the city of Copenhagen transformed a disused shipyard into a gorgeous concert venue. And now the city of Bristol in southwest England wants to turn its old airplane hangars into a pop-up venue that could host Eurovision 2023.
Even though the BBC hasn’t publicly confirmed that it has agreed to host next year’s contest, Bristol is throwing its hat into the ring, joining an ever-growing list that includes London and Birmingham. Its mayor Marvin Rees made the announcement at Bristol Pride, just moments before Canadian star Carly Rae Jepsen slayed her set.
🇬🇧 The city of Bristol has announced its bid to host #Eurovision 2023.
— wiwibloggs (@wiwibloggs) July 9, 2022
✈️ They propose building a pop-up venue at the Brabazon Hangars…similar to what Copenhagen did back in 2014 with an old shipyard. #ThisIsBristolCalling #ESC2023 pic.twitter.com/69OsPa6Bu0
We’re re-printing their press release in full below.
Eurovision 2023: Bristol announces host city bid (PRESS RELEASE)
Hello, #ThisIsBristolCalling.
As a City of Sanctuary, Bristol would be honoured to act as Caretaker of next year’s Eurovision Song Contest if it cannot be hosted in Ukraine after their victory in Turin.
Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, tonight announced that Bristol will bid to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. Mayor Rees shared the news with some 20,000 festival goers at Bristol Pride Day Festival, the UK’s largest Pride festivals, ahead of Grammy-nominated headliner Carly Rae Jepsen taking to the stage.
Why Bristol?
We’ve got the Space, Man
The Brabazon Hangars, future home of YTL Arena Bristol, a 17,000 seater arena, provides the largest indoor facility in the region.
The aircraft hangars can be transformed – like Copenhagen’s shipyard hangars were in 2014 – into a custom-built, pop-up venue, with a temporary seating bowl and stage which can be fully dismantled post-event.
The birthplace of the iconic Concorde, can custom-build the perfect Eurovision Song Contest – one of the technically strongest, supersonic events of all time.
We’re ready to welcome you
Bristol is a city that comes to life when it hosts big events. Every year the city hosts over 200,000 people over the Harbour Festival weekend and half a million people attend the Bristol Balloon Fiesta. Over 20,000 people attend Bristol Pride, 25,000 attend Tokyo World, and 30,000 attend Forwards Festival.
Bristol is one of the top tourist destinations in the UK, has its own international airport with direct flights to the majority of countries competing at the Eurovision Song Contest. Other major airports within two hours or less include Heathrow, Cardiff, Exeter, and Birmingham.
Bristol has ample hotel space and is a leading city for food, art, music and loads to explore for even the most ardent Eurovision fans and delegations looking for somewhere to enjoy Eurovision festivities for two weeks in May 2023.
Just confirmed. its the UK, BBC to host, bids from cities to be submitted
I live in Newport, so it’s so exciting that the two equidistant cities to me both want ESC! Never thought I’d see it happen so soon! I don’t think either is realistic, as it sounds like this won’t be built in time, and even if it was, would the organisers want somewhere with experience of events? Would a brand new building be untested? At least it would have an empiter schedule. Cardiff I’d love, and the stadium is a very special place (and I used to work there!), But I think it’s way too vast for the contest and set… Read more »
So the UK has so many arenas and Bristol wants to host in a pop-up thing?! Nope!
The 12 points, as usual, go to f***ing Sweden
I adore Bristol. One of the most fun and creative cities in the UK. It would be a very good host – if you’ve never visited (or never heard of it) add it to your city break list. But it’s hotel accommodation is pretty limited, so cannot see it happening based simply on that, even if the temporary arena was achievable.
They’re not proposing a temporary arena – Bristol Arena has been in the works for years! https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Arena
But agreed on the accommodation front, might not have the capacity.
Their statement literally says it’s a pop-up: “The aircraft hangars can be transformed – like Copenhagen’s shipyard hangars were in 2014 – into a custom-built, pop-up venue, with a temporary seating bowl and stage which can be fully dismantled post-event.” Unfortunately their new arena won’t be opened until 2024.
Horribke public transport. If you don’t have a car, you can’t even go out during the evening. Taxi service is bad as well. During my last stay in April we couldn’t fine one taxi to get to the airport… Very bad!
Nah should be Manchester or Glasgow
It looks great in the image but in reality? lol Copenhagen’s finance was a disaster when they did a similar venue so it’s a big no for Bristol. Isn’t it funny that BBC has NOT confirmed they will do ESC, yet all the UK cities have prepared proposals? Imagine if they refuse and Brussels gets to host the show. Anyway, in such situation, it should be the capital who has the best infrastructure to host. London is great and has 3 airports + direct trains to and from Belgium, France and Netherlands. Imagine O2 arena!!! But yeah, we all know… Read more »
I think as host cities that aren’t London goes, I’d support Bristol. Its a city with a really cool culture that would be great for Eurovision to promote. However, I’d also support giving some love across the Bristol Channel to Cardiff, so Wales can join England and Scotland as Eurovision hosts, or maybe Manchester to give the North West a shine!
Cardiff has a big stadium and it’s a big no (remember Copenhagen 2001). UK has plenty of proper arenas to use for ESC (Hydro, O2, Manchester)