The BBC has not yet released the official bid details to host Eurovision 2023 in the UK. But that hasn’t stopped mayors, city councillors, MPs and Eurovision fans from voicing their support for their preferred host city.
Liverpool, London, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Cardiff, Belfast — cities big and small across all four nations of the United Kingdom are ready for their moment in the international spotlight. But which city has the venue, hotels, access to an international airport and buzz needed to secure the world’s biggest live music event?
We’ve all heard from the mayors and read the statements from city council members. But now we want to know what you think. Which of the following cities do you think can serve the needs of both TV producers and international visitors best? You can vote for as many cities as you’d like, but you can only vote one time. So make it count.
Poll: Which UK city should host Eurovision 2023?
Eurovision 2023: Host city requirements
In a recent report on the BBC News, the following criteria were outlined for Eurovision 2023 host city:
- A venue with a capacity for at least 10,000 spectators
- A nearby international airport
- Hotel accommodation for 2,000 people
On top of this, we know from recent editions of Eurovision that the EBU requires a press centre for 1,500 journalists. However, as we saw in Turin, cost-cutting has led the EBU to dramatically slash that number. There were only 500 journalists allowed in the press room at Eurovision 2022.
Last year, Italian broadcaster Rai stipulated that the host city must have a venue that is available for six weeks before the event, two weeks during the show and a week after the end of the show for dismantling.
Rai also defined a “nearby” international airport as within 90 minutes of the city.
Learn more about the various bids, speculation and hype below…
- Aberdeen
- Belfast
- Birmingham
- Brighton
- Bristol
- Cardiff
- Edinburgh
- Glasgow
- Leeds
- Leicester
- Liverpool
- London
- Manchester
- Newcastle
- Nottingham
- Sheffield
- Sunderland
- Wolverhampton
Why not let Ukraine decide. After all it is suppose to be them hosting and it’s suppose to be about Ukraine not the UK
Whatever city is the least connected to Ukraine, I’ll take it.
Brighton because it’s the one closest to Ukraine
LIVERPOOL
It’s a no brainer – Edinburgh of course as it is twinned with Kyiv
Edinburgh doesn’t have a venue to host it at
Id say my city but it’s an absolute dump so Manchester or Glasgow please
Since Manchester is now the home of the BBC I see that being quite likely. But it would be nice to have it outside of England. So my top 3 choices would be Manchester, Glasgow or Cardiff
Manchester or Glasgow, fine. Anyone but the Scouse, honestly.
I think, as a non-UK-based fan, Edinburgh would be the most appealing for me to visit. :3
Nicola Krankie and her krankies do not even want to be part of the uk …. Please do not vote Glasgow please vote Cardiff , Wales for the first time or Manchester I live in London and we don’t need more foot flow thank you
oi, don’t be racists to the Scots! We have a lovely country!
Vote aberdeen. At least Scotland has a voice unlike Wales. Independence is just around the corner!
Nottingham. Love that city. Hello from Armenia
London, period.
We haven’t had Eurovision in a major European city (top 10) since Moscow hosted it in 2009, and that was an absolute SPECTACLE. Kyiv can also be counted as a major European city, though considerably smaller than London & Moscow. I can imagine Eurovision in London would be just as fantastic as Moscow. Whilst London wouldn’t have a ‘Eurovision feeling’ for fans compared to smaller cities, it would be a treat for everyone else. If we want Eurovision on steroids, then London is the way to go.
I wouldn’t mind Glasgow hosting either.
Scotland wanting to host for the UK whilst preparing to leave the UK is quite funny. They literally don’t care that it’ll be hosted under a Union Jack, they just care about tourism and job creation and I admire them for that. That’s the sign of a great government, they’ll take as many opportunities as they can as long as it benefits the people of the nation. Maybe it’s time to let Scotland have one last hurrah with the UK before they finally depart.
Yeah but having it in London also means all the damned traffic. I think it’s been great seeing eurovision in all these different and diverse cities. I think there’s a lot of cities in the UK that could provide the vibe we all want from Eurovision. And that says something great about the different places around the UK and how we do have first class infrastructure to host an event like this.
Isn’t a ‘spectacle’ more based on the best arena and not the city itself?
No, it’s a mix of everything.
But what was it that made Moscow such a spectacle in your opinion?
Honestly, I want Liverpool to win this. I would leave Manchester or London when UK wins Eurovision, for this occasion Liverpool seems to be my favourite. 🙂
Why is Sunderland an option though lmao
No offense to others, but we need London. No more backwaters please.
None of these cities are backwaters. Just because its not the capital doesn’t mean it has the capacity to host Eurovision. London is a great city, but so is Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Liverpool.
Birmingham is about to host the commonwealth games. Manchester and Glasgow have hosted it since 2000 too. These are highly capable, modern, fun cities to be in. They’re by no means a backwater, and you’d be lucky to visit eurovision in any one of them because they’re all great places!
My gut is telling me it’s going to be Glasgow.
I’d love it to be Leeds or Newcastle they both would be so convenient for me but it’s most likely between Manchester and Liverpool I think
My pick is Liverpool because I liked the way they announce their bid and I like what they offer. They litteraly said that Liverpool would be transformed in a little Ukraine during Eurovision which I find very cool.
I’d love to know the reason why the bookies think that Glasgow has more chances than the others. What are the criterias to define who has more chances in hosting Eurovision? Ok, the venue, the arena, the location, proximity to airport, the facilities etc ok I get it. But why Glasgow largely over Manchester, London, Birmingham or Liverpool in that case, I don’t get it, all these cities have everything required too so why especially Glasgow more than the others…..these bookies are really full of secret I really d’love to know, they can influence so much things notably in Eurovision… Read more »
We’re there not rumours of an informal deal that Glasgow would get it if it came to the UK.
I think its because the Ovo arena in Glasgow is avaliable the whole of May, is large enough to host and was used as the stadium in the eurovision movie
Ok but the others arena too are available so if the criteria to put Glasgow far ahead of the others is because of the Eurovision movie, I find this really hazardous.
Manchester is way above the rest. Unpopular opinion but if any country of the UK should host it, it should be Wales. Scotland don’t deserve it because of Nicola Sturgeon’s wish to be independent which I respect but I don’t agree with her wanting Scotland to host Eurovision while bashing the rest of the UK.
Eurovision is supposed to be above politics. Scotland – if it has the right venue/city and the best plans- should get Eurovision. No one here should be saying oh don’t send it to this location they want out. Rule out Belfast their largest party is separatist, and Wales have hinted they may be pro-indy so let’s just have it in England.
It’s thinking like this, and an attitude like this, that leads to people wanting Scottish independence. It doesn’t help the UK, and it doesn’t help people’s opinion of England.
I mean, as a Scot, I’m not super comfortable with the idea of a BBC hosted eurovision in Glasgow with all the Union Jackery that would entail. That would also be politicising the contest, especially as a referendum could well be held in late 2023.
In your opinion the same could be said of the UK. Why in the UK while they voted for Brexit and are bashing the EU.
Glasgow has the 2nd busiest venue in the world!
Ok it’s great but for Eurovision to be done in a popular arena or not means nothing, it’s not something determining imo. The 2nd busiest arena in 2019 doesn’t mean that it’s forcefully the best to host Eurovision in 2023.
Wooooow!!! This year we are going to experience the REAL battle of the cities…
Really hope it is not Glasgow considering Sturgeon’s hatred of the United Kingdom she has the audacity to state she wants Glasgow to stage the contest!!! So it suits her that Scotland is part of the UK when it comes to staging the Eurovision unbelievable!! I hope the BBC awards the contest to a city from either Wales, England or Northern Ireland.
So as long as Scotland is part of the UK they shouldn’t be allowed to host eurovision in your opinion?
Question to you Frisian, so you don’t find it hypocritical of Sturgeon wanting the contest when she hates Scotland being part of the Union?
Not really. It’s kinda logical that she wants to bring the biggest international song contest to scotland. Especially considering her pro European stance. I don’t see how that conflicts with her wanting scottish independance. As long as Scotland is a part of the UK they should be treated as such don’t you think?
She is a complete hypocrite IMO. She is pro anything against the Union but very happy to ride on the back of it to hold Eurovision. Scotland has a pro independent government that wants nothing to do with the UK so no they should not stage the contest. Surprised you can’t see why many would agree with what I am saying tbh. The only thing that would make me laugh is the fact the Union Jack’s would be flying in the venue that would wind Sturgeon up haha.
Scotland doesn’t want “nothing” to do with the UK. It just wants to go its separate way and stop being ruled from Westminster. Are we saying breakaway regions shouldn’t be allowed to host Eurovision. After Brexit is the UK not wanting anything to do with ‘Europe’ so they can’t ho…. oh wait.
I am sure the English would want them to go and fund themselves for once……. I am Scottish btw.
But that’s like saying ‘oh, but if you’re so pro scottish independance, then why do you still make use of any of the social benefits britain has to offer’. They aren’t independent as of yet so it’s logical that Nicola Sturgeon stands up for whats the best for her people/voting base.
No logic coming from Sturgeon just division and hatred but quite happy for the rest of the Union to fund her incompetent government and receive far more benefits then say the English people do. Free university, prescriptions etc the ‘Barnet formula’ really gives them far more then the English get and its a real shame if I was English I would be asking for an independence vote for England to leave the Union!
Okay. I’m actually English, living in Scotland. Sure the union gives them some things, but the debate isn’t well the uk govt gives us all this stuff. It’s deep questions of who should rule Scotland. Scotland was an independent council till 1707 so not that long ago and has a long history of England coming in and taking over Scotland (see also: Wales and Ireland). So the question of who rules Scotland is a completely valid question and no one arguing independence is talking Barnet formula, it’s talking about an unequal union and a belief that things can be better… Read more »
Lets agree to disagree hey Sam! I agree it is a very unequal union for the English for sure. Let Scotland go with their huge deficit and dreadful incompetent government byeeeeeee LOL
Yes as for Wales they benefit as well far more then England but the difference is you don’t hear the endless moaning like the Scots Sam.
Of course is Hypocritical.. However the site of zillions of Union Jacks in Glasgow would be great.. just how I remember the city back in the 90s
and covering Glasgow, a city that voted yes in 2014, in union jacks would just be asking for trouble.
People in Scotland are welcoming, they’re friendly, and they’re experienced at hosting big international events. Glasgow did just host COP26 on the same site they want Eurovision. Its a fun city, an open city, a party and great vibe there, and a very suitable site for Eurovision – they’ll even welcome people from England as long as you’re not acting up. (Source: I’m literally from England just moved up to Scotland and everyone is really friendly). Sturgeon doesn’t speak for all of Scotland, and I don’t think it’s fair to bring politics into where in the UK Eurovision should be… Read more »
I doubt very much that it “suits her that Scotland is part of the UK” under any circumstances! Do you realise that it’s called the “eurovision song contest” for a reason? It’s for countries that are part of Europe! And since England decided they were better than everyone else and made an absolute mess of “brexit” while Scotland overwhelmingly voted to stay in Europe I think your comment is nonsensical! Mupet!
My stance on the UK’s hosting of the contest aside, why is Glasgow the fave to host next year? Given the indyref2 announcements and all that, wouldn’t that stop any potential Scotland host city from achieving host city candidacy and winning the bid to become the host city next year? I would say either Liverpool, Manchester or Newcastle will be the overall host for a variety of reasons, however I do feel like Manchester is the most likely given they do have the new BBC digs at Salford now in Media City, the do have a albeit small airport that… Read more »
I’m pretty sure indyref2 is happening in October 2023 so they would still be in the UK in may
100% behind you , if Glasgow get it then no independence vote for another 20years .
Dolly, if you’d give me a proposal ring right now and marry me, do you think it would be impossible for me to give back the ring and break up?
The vote wouldn’t be until October 2023 so Scotland would still be a part of the UK, and the Hydro is right next to the BBC Scotland offices I believe.
Manchester has one of the biggest airports in the country, and one of the biggest arenas so there’s no doubt it could host it.
I always thought Manchester Airport was smaller than that, as the Top 5 airports in the UK have been: Heathrow, Gatwick, EMA, Birmingham and London Luton or have I really missed something here?
Pre-covid Manchester was the third biggest airport in terms of numbers behind heathrow and gatwick, Stanstead is just a bit below it and Luton has about half the passengers, so EMA and Birmingham are way down after that.
Additional to my other point: regardless to the whether the vote happens in October 2023 or tomorrow, the fact that their is a vote on the indyref2 proceedings in some time and place would be a deterrent to the EBU, UA:PBC and the BBC from choosing any Scottish host city as the final option.
Its no deterrent, it doesn’t affect planning, and it shouldn’t affect Scottish candidacy. Catalonia voted for independence in their referendum in like 2015, are we saying if eurovision went to Spain that Barcelona should be banned from hosting?
The question should be which place provides the best package for Eurovision, not which place is most nationalistic towards the host nation.
Blackpool for me
So many of these places listed are such a lol
It would be nice if they chose a city with a nice population of Ukrainians living there.
Kiev
If the others that currently have a chance
Cardiff – doesn’t have a suitable arena . It has a football stadium with a roof that is too big
Edinburgh doesn’t have a suitable indoor arena
Belfast – there is no demand to host it
Bristol if they can deliver on the venue and then Manchester for logistical reasons and venue . I would like London O2. However it sometimes works best in a smaller city and the event ends up being part of the city
Manchester would be a reasonable compromise for me. It has international recognition and allows people from all across the UK to join in given its central location.
If it is to be Manchester, there will be a reflective poignancy given what happened 6 years prior (almost to the day).
cardiff, liverpool, or glasgow. anything but london
Glasgow, Cardiff, and Manchester are my top picks!
I´m sharing the mayority in this poll…. My favourite is Glasgow
Hey, why are you downvoting him. It’s his preference! Wouldn’t you like to be downvoted if you say, “I like women” or “I like men”?
I´m afraid that you are me misunderstand…… Who I like to downvote ?
Cardiff ticks all of the boxes. It is a capital city, has an established airport 20 mins from the city centre, a thread of the BBC is right in the heart of the city beside the Principality Stadium. Plenty of accommodation too.
Cardiff Bay and Docklands could work as a Euro Village…
The Land of Song, Choirs and Lucy Jones 🙂
It’s a regional capital city , not an international capital .
The airport is far from established. It runs about one flight every 40mins
And the stadium is oversized and not suitable for Eurovision
What’s an international capital city??
I believe they meant regional capital city.
It’s the capital of a sovereign state Eg London UK , Paris France etc
I think maybe next year is the year to host Eurovision in an “oversized” stadium because hopefully it will be the first Eurovision without protective measures and over 70k can fit in it, that would open up the event to so much more people and even possibly lower the cost of tickets
That sounds cool but at the same time, some limit should be set as well. If you look back into Copenhagen 2001, at the Parken Stadion, there were about 38000 people and the crowd noise was sometimes so loud you couldn’t even hear the presenters.
Plus, with those numbers some people wouldn’t even be able to see sh*t on stage. I know screens can be put for that but still
Wales is a country, therefore Cardiff is a capital city – Manchester would be a regional capital. The UK is a country of countries and each country in the Union has its own capital.
Youre right about Cardiff Airport, I had a friend try to come up to Scotland and finding a flight is like there’s one on the first full moon of the month. But it has to be a blood moon, and there has to be an eclipse at the same time, and a sacrifice made.
Wales is no more a country than Catalonia, Flanders, Bavaria etc.
Wales is literally referred to as a country. The UK is a country of countries, Wales is it’s own country. That’s not an opinion it’s a literal fact.
A friend in Cardiff told me the city couldn’t cope with an Ed Sheeran concert, how do we expect it to deal with Eurovision?
Does it have a big enough venue?
Manchester!
I known a lot of people are saying Glasgow because of the movie but I really think it should be held in Manchester because, aside from the city’s rich musical history, it has the largest arena in the UK and I really think the BBC and AU:PBC could use that to their advantage of being a Ukrainian -flavored party to Eurovision.
Manchester gets to give out the votes, let the love go somewhere else!
Glasgow, because the movie predicted the Hydro with foreign hosts in Scotland!
Can we give this opportunity to any city other than London please? Yes it’s the largest and most convenient city but I want more diversity. I’m bored of London being the main drag. Give us something new and exciting!
I am all for going north!!!
I think if any country can think outside the box and give us a non-obvious choice for host city is the UK. Who ever though Harrogate, a town known for hosting tea parties, could host ESC?