It’s currently hosting the good and the great of sport at the Commonwealth Games — the biggest-ever sporting event held in the West Midlands. And, if the chips fall as its leaders hope, then the city of Birmingham may soon host the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.
On Wednesday city leaders confirmed their intention to bid for Eurovision 2023 — and the European Athletics Championships 2026 — as part of what they’re calling a “Golden Decade” for the city.
Birmingham confirms Eurovision 2023 host city bid
International airport? Check. Massive venue? Check. Sufficient hotel accommodation? Check. The ducks are in a row and Birmingham is ready to slay with its bid for the 2023 song contest.
City Councillor Ian Ward said: “For many decades Birmingham has developed a deserved reputation as a city that hosts world-class events and we know that our city is hugely popular with athletes, performers and spectators.”
“We’ve hosted G8 summits, World Cup Rugby, two editions of the World Indoor Athletics Championships, a Papal visit, the Eurovision Song Contest, international football fixtures, and now the Commonwealth Games – a huge multi-sport event, delivered in half the usual time.”
Andy Street, the mayor of the West Midlands, is fully on board, describing Eurovision as a potential “launchpad” for the city.
The pair confirmed the Resorts World Arena near Birmingham Airport as their bid venue.
Birmingham hosted Eurovision 1998 — the last time it was held in the U.K. — after Katrina and the Waves won the 1997 contest with “Love Shine a Light.” That time it was held at the Utilita Arena, formerly known as the NEC’s National Indoor Arena.
This time they want the world to descend on The Resorts World Arena, which is located in Solihull, and has a capacity of up to 15,000 seats. The arena is located opposite the Resorts World Birmingham, an entertainment complex which features the largest casino in the United Kingdom as well as a shopping mall.
The Arena has also hosted major events in recent times, including ITV’s Concert for Ukraine in March. The sold-out event included stars like Ed Sheeran and Jamala, who once again delivered an emotional and heartbreaking performance of her Eurovision winning number “1944.”
The venue has also hosted BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2010, 2016 and 2018 as well as the BBC Music Awards in 2015.
Do you think Birmingham has a shot? Have you visited the Resorts World Arena previously? Let us know down below.
No thanks, they had their chance in 1998 and are currently hosting the Commonwealth Games.
Manchester & London from England and Glasgow from Scotland are the big favourites.
It will be between Glasgow and Manchester
It’s not gonna be in Brum again. Either Cardiff, London or Glasgow will get it. Kinda’ hoping it’s Cardfiff – the Principality is a huge, superb venue. Cardiff is a great city.
It’s not a suitable venue . Can people still not understand that
Why is it not a suitable venue?
It is far too big to meet requirements, 70,000 capacity for a contest that peak audience is no more at best 25,000. Additionally, Cardiff is just too small as a city to do it.
70 thousand??
what is a 70 thousand capacity?
Pleased to see Birmingham putting a bid in, it would have been so easy to say “we had it last time so why bother” but its a great city and would put on a great show. Disappointing its not the Utilita arena (NIA) once more, as this is central city based, very close to other great amenities such as hotels, cafe’s, bars, and other function space they could have utilised such as the Symphony Hall and the Conference Centre etc, and its on a lovely spot by the canal waterways and public squares which have really bee smartened up Resorts… Read more »