Photo: Nick Robinson

Eurovision just got a royal visit. Ahead of the song contest extravaganza kicking off in Liverpool next month, King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla visited the host city to unveil the spectacular Eurovision stage.

His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort visited Liverpool Arena today to see city in full bloom as it prepares for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. They unveiled the now complete stage, ready to welcome contestants from 37 countries next month. 

The royal party also chatted with Eurovision 2023 hosts Julia Sanina and Hannah Waddingham.

Eurovision 2023 stage revealed by King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla

The soon to be coronated monarch of the United Kingdom met with Tim Davie, BBC Director-General to tour the Liverpool Arena. The royal couple animated the arena with the set designer and sound and lighting directors, revealing Liverpool’s Eurovision stage to the world for the very first time.

Designed by Julio Himede, the impressive stage was designed on the principles of togetherness, celebration and community. Across more than 450 square metres of staging, the stunning set brings together another 220 square metres of independently moving and turning video screens, as well as over 700 video tiles integrated into the floor and more than 1500 metres of LED lights.

The set was revealed to a soundtrack of the Eurovision theme composed by Michael Nekrasov, our Ukrainian composer.

Blue Peter presenters Abby Cook, Joel Mawhinney and Mwaksy Mudenda were on hand to present their Majesties with a Gold Blue Peter badge each – the programme’s highest award.

Charles and Camilla also chatted with UK 2023 entry Mae Muller and some of the Eurovision hosting team, including Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina, Emmy-Award winning actress Hannah Waddingham, and BBC Radio 2 commentators Rylan and Scott Mills. They also met with music director of Eurovision 2023 Kojo Samuel.

Tim Davie, BBC Director General, said: “It is an honour that His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort have come here today to reveal the fantastic staging for our Eurovision Song Contest programming. This set will be the focal point for all of the celebrations and we cannot wait to see it lighting up Liverpool and TV screens across the world.”

Martin Green CBE, Managing Director of Eurovision, said: “We are thrilled His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort have unveiled this landmark moment for 2023 Eurovision. It has been a fantastic collaboration between all of our partners and the BBC to get to this point and now the stage is officially set to capture everyone’s imaginations and bring together audiences from across the world.”

Following the visit to the Arena, Her Majesty The Queen Consort dropped into The Big Eurovision Read pop-up reading den outside Liverpool Central Library. Led by The Reading Agency and supported by BBC Arts, the Big Eurovision Read is a reading-for-pleasure campaign celebrating music and reading, to mark the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.

Eurovision festivities begin in Liverpool next week as artists travel to the city for their first rehearsals. The semi-finals air on BBC One at 8pm on Tuesday 9 May and Thursday 11 May, with the grand final set for 8pm on Saturday 13 May.

What do you think of the Eurovision stage? Are you impressed with Liverpool’s staging? Let us know in the comments section below. 

108 Comments
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Jayne
Jayne
1 year ago

Is there always a formal unveiling event for the staging? If so, has there usually been a local dignitary doing a similar button press?

brunowskii
brunowskii
1 year ago

Sorry for the comment, but staring at this stage, I can only reflect and be certain that Chanel should have been the runner up

Karl
Karl
1 year ago
Reply to  brunowskii

Nope. We saw how rude the Spanish Eurofans were towards the artists at the preparty in Spain this year.

brunowskii
brunowskii
1 year ago
Reply to  Karl

Não sou espanhol

MartyMcCu
MartyMcCu
1 year ago

It’s a lovely stage, full of colour! The UK will do a great job hosting on behalf of Ukraine. Some or too many ESC fans are becoming a little bit of a headache with their complaints and negative tone and stance, the EBU organisers are noticing this too. Just live with it and enjoy the show.

???
???
1 year ago

what in the national selection is this

Efthymios
Efthymios
1 year ago

The green room SOMEHOW, I don’t know why, reminds me of Germany 2011 which I really like. Overall, I’m extremely positive about the visual quality and beauty of the performances, this year. At least, I should be, last year’s staging partially didn’t work at all, lmao.

Jamie
Jamie
1 year ago

Ah yes, the stage being “small” every year. Fans just cannot shut up about this every single year. Wait till it looks absolutely massive on screen. It always does.

Mark
Mark
1 year ago
Reply to  Jamie

Unfortunately, people are right this time haha It really is too little for such a big show, and performances will suffer for sure, Loreen being one of the biggest losers as her MF staging was the winning esc kind of a performance, so she definitelly won’t top that one. Well, we will be seeing a lot of shift, some positive and some negative surprises for sure

Jamie
Jamie
1 year ago
Reply to  Mark

Yes, it is a smaller stage. For the live audience at least. On TV it will look properly big, using the magic of television. Same magic that was used in 2019. I don’t know about others, but I really don’t care how the stage looks in real life, if it looks nice on screen then I’m happy.

yaremturkiye
yaremturkiye
1 year ago

Euro fans complaining about “small” the staging is as if it actually matters. Turin was a small stage yet you all forgot about that when it came to the performances. Stans need to realise that life if about enjoyment, go find some.

Sultan
Sultan
1 year ago
Reply to  yaremturkiye

I did not forget xD Turin is still my least favourite year because of the stage and production in general

I think Liverpool stage looks small because of the massive wide green room sofas. The stage itself is not small nor bad and I think it will look great on television 🙂

sucof
sucof
1 year ago
Reply to  Sultan

@Sultan ahahaah troll!

Dave
Dave
1 year ago

Someone tell me why Rylan Clark is on Eurovision this is the guy who was a a panel
On flop Eurovision you decide who back surie flop and Michael Rice flop who didn’t put through holly but crap Michael Rice he also cheated on his husband when do eurovision what a lovely guy I think people have forgot that he was on Eurovision decide and to be honest the BBC should be shame themselves while him on Eurovision

James
James
1 year ago
Reply to  Dave

He’s part of the commentary team for the BBC.

Thallo
Thallo
1 year ago

It’s a pretty bog standard talent show-esque stage, but since the BBC is hosting on behalf of Ukraine I feel as though this isn’t a year to take risks, so a simple stage is perfect!

If Sweden or Finland win, I hope they take a risk with their staging next year (which i’m sure they will do anyway) and create something unique.

Im so fab
Im so fab
1 year ago

I’m ready for your stones, but I always liked smaller stages. I want the center of the attention to be on the act, not the stage. Also, if the arenas are smaller, poorer countries like Moldova and Albania will be able to host properly if the win someday. Good job Liverpool!

Tomi
Tomi
1 year ago
Reply to  Im so fab

I totally agree with you. Back in 2018, when there was a chance of Cyprus winning, I remember reading on this site people claiming: Cyprus couldn’t win, because they didn’t have a big stage to organize the contest, nor enough accommodation… This kind of thinking always upsets me! Look, Cyprus is the size it is & that won’t change. Should Cyprus one day win, they would organize the contest in a smaller venue and that’s all. No big drama! Eurovision adapts to Cyprus, hardcore fans adapt to Cyprus. As long as it looks great on tv, the rest is secondary.

Sultan
Sultan
1 year ago
Reply to  Im so fab

Disagree 🙂 Copenhagen had a big stage, yet it it could do so much to accommodate each song

Boo
Boo
1 year ago

It feels real now, I’m so excited!!

Tomi
Tomi
1 year ago
Reply to  Boo

…and I just can’t hide it!

ALESSIO MILANO
ALESSIO MILANO
1 year ago

italy was the best stage ever

Thallo
Thallo
1 year ago
Reply to  ALESSIO MILANO

The stage literally didn’t work.

Rambo Amadeus
Rambo Amadeus
1 year ago
Reply to  Thallo

The EBU didn’t want it to work…

noqueen
noqueen
1 year ago
Reply to  Rambo Amadeus

True, it was actually working, but too slow to acommodate, so they just ditched it. Still the design and execution – horrendous! Looked ugly af!

Jamie
Jamie
1 year ago
Reply to  Rambo Amadeus

Ah yes, Italy was the victim of EBU’s sabotage. It’s not like Italy was being lazy and late on every aspect of hosting. Espresso breaks were too important.

Mililoyi
Mililoyi
1 year ago
Reply to  ALESSIO MILANO

Sure Jane

Tomi
Tomi
1 year ago
Reply to  ALESSIO MILANO

I agree with you, Alessio. It was very beautiful & I didn’t give a sh*te if it was broken or not. Konstrakta looked amazing & that’s all that mattered to me. I seem to remember to have watched a short video of what her stage show was supposed to look like if the stage had functioned properly… It just wasn’t as good. Thank god, the “sun” was broken!

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago

comment image

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

#WiwiBookClub

Bastian
Bastian
1 year ago

Might look small, but i like it. It feels more intimate this way. I dont like it when the stage is too big and then looks quite empty.

Thallo
Thallo
1 year ago
Reply to  Bastian

Agree. Tel Aviv had one of the smallest stages, yet it was one of the best in recent years.

I miss the grand stagings like Dusseldorf, Copenhagen and Baku though.

Jimmy
Jimmy
1 year ago

Charles: and how is the winner selected?

Rylan: all participating countries award points from voting juries and public televoters, it’s super exciting!

Charles: oh, how appallingly common. It would be much more civilised to just select whichever artiste has the most well connected family, and give it to them.

Rylan: I don’t think the people would love that too much, sir…

Charles: Well they all love me.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Jimmy

I think Lys Assia’s grandson should be the current champion, with the House of Assia being based in Lugano. Close to Geneva, home of the EBU parliament, who do all the work.

Euroandwhatnot
Euroandwhatnot
1 year ago

Now wouldn’t it be iconic if this year’s Junior Eurovision stage were to be unveiled by the one and only Marine Le Pen?

Esc addict / Shut up and watch my ...
Esc addict / Shut up and watch my ...
1 year ago
Reply to  Euroandwhatnot

Wtf!?

Tomi
Tomi
1 year ago
Reply to  Euroandwhatnot

It wouldn’t be iconic or amazing. Why her?

Korotán Korí
Korotán Korí
1 year ago

Hopefully the Swedish royals will come next year to unveil the Eurovision stage.

Or in case Austria wins, the Habsburgs.

And if Finland wins… they also have some kind of royalty

Nikki
Nikki
1 year ago
Reply to  Korotán Korí

They do, Mr. Lordi.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Korotán Korí

This is not a new thing. The last King to visit the arena was only two years ago. Even Tsar Putin visited in 2009.

Chris
Chris
1 year ago

The UK is doing a great job so far and I get so high expectations for the show we are about to watch! Especially after last year fiasco.

Alex
Alex
1 year ago

Really reminds me of Kiev 2017, both the shape and the size (of the arena also), which is good. I liked quite much back then! Congrats to all 37 countries!

Damian
Damian
1 year ago

It’s true that it looks a bit small, but I don’t think that will be a problem. It looks beautiful and open, not “claustrophobic” like the 2015 one, and I’m sure the BBC will make it work nicely with a really good camera work.

Denis
Denis
1 year ago

Looks like 1970’s science fiction. Close Encounters of The Third Kind comes to mind..
Not bad though. Really good even, especially for a small arena. And if it¨s anything like the movie it will be an amazing light show:)

Sos
Sos
1 year ago

I agree, the green room last year was amazing!

Devito
Devito
1 year ago

While my personal preference for style in general is strict lines and forms (i.e., straight lines, cubes), the stage looks quite simple yet fulfills the slogan. I like the idea of artists getting the front seats (green room) next to the stage. Obviously, decisions taken there are neither innovative nor plesantly shocking, but it will do its thing. I simply cannot let the idea into my head there is a chance Liverpool or any other host city could do worse than Torino with its sun of the death! My favourite stage remains to be the Dutch from 2020 and 2021… Read more »

Mary M.
Mary M.
1 year ago

Not like I know enough about stage design to judge but it looks cool to me.

Leo M
Leo M
1 year ago

First thoughts: Small arena. I’m sure it will look better on tv

Noam600
Noam600
1 year ago

Eurovision 2011 stage is still the best! it was AMAZING!

Marcin
Marcin
1 year ago
Reply to  Noam600

True, the last real Eurovision until 2020.

Panna
Panna
1 year ago

People complaining about the size – 2015 was one of the smallest stages but had some of the best stagings

Teddi
Teddi
1 year ago

Honestly I hate this stage and arena. It looks so small and yet so claustrophobic. Stage looks so plaint, as if it was some local festival. That circle in front is so weird and then those two sides of the stage that keep is close annoy me a lot. Haha. Really not a fan of it.

Sos
Sos
1 year ago

It’s a good stage, but I would have preferred some risks… It’s too simple for me. The circles remind me also the stage of sanremo, Marco will be happy ahahah

sucof
sucof
1 year ago
Reply to  Sos

this?

comment image.webp

Sos
Sos
1 year ago
Reply to  sucof

I would have choose a different image but yes

Steve
Steve
1 year ago

Not sure whether we’ll be able to see much as we are in block 2 as far in the corner of the stage as you can get! Do you think most acts will use the circle?

stephania
stephania
1 year ago
Reply to  Steve

I read an article yesterday think it was by one of the BBC producers that said that around 50% of the artists are utilising the catwalk and smaller stage. Some of the tickets released the other day stated restricted or limited view so if yours were not sold as this then hopefully you will be ok!!

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago

The stage looks great. I just hope it is raised enough to block out all the phones that will be held up by the crowd. In fact, I think phones should be banned. All the effort that goes into making a good show for us should be respected.

Pauly
Pauly
1 year ago

The stage is perfect for this small arena. I wish there was not much noise around it though which resulted to many seats have obscured view (yet charting 300 pounds).

gea
gea
1 year ago

What is this obsession with big stages and arenas? Remember Moscow (although it was a great show) how tiny the singers were on that stage.

Pauly
Pauly
1 year ago
Reply to  gea

Moscow show was held in a stadium so the stage had to be big.

Doggy Bark
Doggy Bark
1 year ago
Reply to  Pauly

it was not a stadium but a sport complex

fever
fever
1 year ago

The logo colours look great this way.
But the stage seems really small. I even doubt whether there would be enough space for Loreen’s burger…

Mucrush
Mucrush
1 year ago
Reply to  fever

Dude its not THAT small… I think a lot of people are overreacting…

Jamie
Jamie
1 year ago
Reply to  fever

Loreen’s burger wasn’t happening anyways… roof mounted props not allowed in Eurovision.

West
West
1 year ago

Will King Charles and Queen Camilla watch the Eurovision though? I doubt it. But hey – at least the stage looks nice. I just hope the delegations will use it to the fullest so we have a spectacle of a show.

Pauly
Pauly
1 year ago
Reply to  West

we don’t care if they watch ESC, Eurovision age group is younger than them

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Pauly

The contest is for everybody, young and old!

ESC Hayden
ESC Hayden
1 year ago
Reply to  West

Yes, the King told Mae he will be watching.

Panna
Panna
1 year ago
Reply to  West

They go to sleep at 7PM like Peppa Pig, so obviously they will not watch it.
Maybe the morning after on youtube.

Panna
Panna
1 year ago
Reply to  Panna

What’s rude about going to sleep at 7PM

Ted
Ted
1 year ago

Well, I like it. Looks fantastic. Even the logo which I hated when it was revealed looks amazing from a different angle on the back screen. A big thank you to everyone involved in making this stage and good luck to all the participants which have been selected to represent their countries.
Looking forward to seeing the show now!

LTEVSVB

Ted
Ted
1 year ago
Reply to  Ted

LTESCB

(oops. Typo)

Emily
Emily
1 year ago

I’m just hoping that if the stage is as small as it seems, there won’t be many wide shots than usual. It does look nice, though!

Esc addict / Shut up and watch my ...
Esc addict / Shut up and watch my ...
1 year ago
Reply to  Emily

But I think this picture doesn’t reflect the reality, it’s as huge as it was on the concept arts. On the BBC vid showing the discover of the stage you can see that.

Paul
Paul
1 year ago

I really wanted it to be good but it just doesnt. It looks like something the BBC would use for a saturday night light entertainment talent show

Alex
Alex
1 year ago

The first impression I had with the picture was that it felt a bit Jesc.
Looks tiny but I’m sure it’ll look great on camera.

sucof
sucof
1 year ago

If the ebu had given the kinetic sun more time to spin between performances, last year’s stage in Turin would have been a truly classy stage, something innovative!
Only the lighting system in Turin was crazy! go see the technical video they posted on youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LqwdaJEUdQ&t=175s&ab_channel=EventElevator

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  sucof

Or a shorter voting time, less intervals, less talk… but no, the formula was rigid and can not be broken. Sad.

sucof
sucof
1 year ago

If the ebu had given the kinetic sun more time to spin between performances, last year’s stage in Turin would have been a truly classy stage, something innovative!
Only the lighting system in Turin was crazy! go see the technical video they posted on youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watchv=9LqwdaJEUdQ&t=175s&ab_channel=EventElevator

fever
fever
1 year ago
Reply to  sucof

It is a pity. In terms of the stage design, I do feel it was much better last year. But the sun literally took too much time to function. As a result, regrettably, it became a drawback as it shadowed the background screen.

Sucof
Sucof
1 year ago
Reply to  fever

True!

Noam600
Noam600
1 year ago

1998 Stage + 2017 Stage = 2023 Stage! 🙂

Zac
Zac
1 year ago
Reply to  Noam600

Right when I thought this one looks somewhat familiar. This comment makes so much sense. 🙂

Jack
Jack
1 year ago

I think it looks great!

gea
gea
1 year ago

Looks great. It is not mind blowing, but it seems modern and functional.

Noam600
Noam600
1 year ago

Are you ready for it?
comment image

Esc addict / Shut up and watch my ...
Esc addict / Shut up and watch my ...
1 year ago
Reply to  Noam600

Well it’s still a song contest and not a dancebreak contest.

Jack
Jack
1 year ago
Reply to  Noam600

I wouldn’t even call it dancing tbh it’s just swinging her legs round in the air

ffffff
ffffff
1 year ago
Reply to  Noam600

i am but euroflops aren’t

clothespin
clothespin
1 year ago
Reply to  Noam600

Sure, but I don’t think the performance will be as good as you say. I was let down by the song already so I’m not so confident

Antrasyt
Antrasyt
1 year ago
Reply to  Noam600

Yes i am ready FOR THE SHOCK NQ!!

Brightlight
Brightlight
1 year ago

any video of it?

Thanos
Thanos
1 year ago

I am not a fan of square stages in general, I’d prefer different shapes. The circular part in the front also looks kinda weird. Of course we don’t know how it will be used yet and what its capabilities are, so I will also wait before judging it.

Thanos
Thanos
1 year ago
Reply to  Thanos

I actually liked last year’s stage design. But what ultimately happened with the black hole destroyed the final result. The water was a nice touch in my opinion and had the kinetic sun worked, it would offer a lot of staging possibilities. But yeah in the end things were underwhelming. This year I think the UK is sticking more to the basics.

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
1 year ago
Reply to  Thanos

the black hole what ruined my queen Emma Muscat her backdrop last year, we never got to see what was behind the black sun and most likely ruined her mirror dress effect too 🙁

Noam600
Noam600
1 year ago

OMG!! I can already imagine Noa’s dancebreak and I’m getting excited, of course it will be on the small round stage. OMG thank you soo much Israel for this masterpiece!!

Esc addict / Shut up and watch my ...
Esc addict / Shut up and watch my ...
1 year ago

Stunning! I can’t wait to see it in action!

Noam600
Noam600
1 year ago

“U NI CORN U NI CORN U NI CORN U NI CORN I WINNING LIKE A….” 🙂

Noam600
Noam600
1 year ago
Reply to  Noam600

OMG!! finally!! after a month of waiting!! the queen is coming to take the trophy 🙂