Eurovision Song Contest 2023: Liverpool
After the victory of Kalush Orchestra in Turin, Ukraine should traditionally host the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. But due to Russia's invasion of the country, the contest can not be held in Ukraine. Instead, the BBC will host Eurovision 2023 in the United Kingdom
We will update this page with all the information about Liverpool 2023 as it appears.
When is Eurovision 2023?
The Eurovision week will have three shows: Semi-final 1 on Tuesday, Semi-final 2 on Thursday and the Grand Final on Saturday:
- Semi-final 1: 9 May 2023
- Semi-final 2: 11 May 2023
- Grand Final: 13 May 2023
All three live shows will start at 21:00 CEST and will be hosted by Julia Sanina, Graham Norton, Hannah Waddingham and Alesha Dixon.
The theme artwork for Eurovision 2023 was revealed together with the slogan: United By Music.
Host City: Liverpool
Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will be held in Liverpool.
Liverpool has evolved from its industrial past to become one of Britain's most thriving and dynamic cultural hubs.
Liverpool's metropolitan area is the fifth largest in the United Kingdom, with a population of 2.2 million, and in 2019 was the fifth most visited city in the UK. Liverpool has a big connection with the world of arts, especially with music as it is the "home" of The Beatles.
Liverpool is a UNESCO City of Music, and the heart of the community is still the two Premier League football clubs, Everton F.C. and Liverpool F.C.
The city was the European Capital of Culture in 2008, and has more galleries and museums than any other UK city but London: Museum of Liverpool, Spaceport Planetarium, Tate Liverpool, to name a few.
The city features an efficient public transportation network, and the Liverpool John Lennon Airport is connected to numerous international destinations.
Liverpool Arena
Also known as "M&S Bank Arena". Peviously "Echo Arena"
Address: 16 Monarchs Quay, Liverpool Google Maps
Website: mandsbankarena.com
The Liverpool Arena, also called "M&S Bank Arena," is part of Exhibition Centre Liverpool and is located in central Liverpool right next to River Mersey. The arena opened in 2008, and has a capacity of 11,000.
It hosted the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2008 and has hosted huge concerts such as Andrea Bocelli, Beyoncé, Elton John, Kanye West, Kasabian, The Killers, Lady Gaga, Oasis, Pink, Rihanna...
Since the opening in 2008, the complex has attracted more than 8 million visitors to around 4,500 events.
Direct public transport to the Arena is by bus. James Street railway station is a short walk away and is served by the Merseyrail Wirral Line. The station is two stops away from Liverpool Lime Street mainline station.
Participants
37 countries will participate at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023:
Changes from Eurovision 2022
3 countries from Eurovision 2022 will not participate in Eurovision 2023:
Who's in which Semi-final?
Ukraine and the other Big-5 countries (Germany, France, Italy, Spain and United Kingdom) are pre-qualified for the Grand Final on 13 May 2023. The rest of the countries will be allocated to one of the two Semi-finals to be held on 9 and 11 May 2023. The allocation draw will be made on 31 January 2023.
10 countries from each of the two Semi-finals will qualify for the Grand Final that will feature a total of 26 countries: 10 from Semi-final 1, 10 from Semi-final 2, Big-5 and Ukraine.
Tickets
Tickets for Eurovision 2023 went on sale on 7 March, and were sold out within 2.5 hours.
Read more: How to get tickets for Eurovision 2023
Eurovision Village: Pier Head
Location: Pier Head
Eurovision Village is the official festival area during Eurovision Song Contest 2023.
In Eurovision Village you can see live performances by artists, DJs, special events and public viewing of the shows broadcast from the Arena.
Eurovision Village will have a capacity for 25,000 people and is open from 13:00 to 23:00 (British time). On Saturday 13 May it will close after the Grand Final.
Eurovision Village will be open for everybody. All events will be free to attend except Saturday's Grand Final.
Eurovision Village 2023 will be organised by the EBU and the City of Liverpool, and will be located in and around Pier Head on the Liverpool riverside. Pier Head has many famous attractions and landmarks to visit, including the Beatles Statue, the Mersey Ferry that docks in front of the Mersey Ferries Building and The Three Graces.
EuroClub: Camp and Furnace
Address: 67 Greenland Street, Liverpool Google Maps
Website: euroclub2023.co.uk
The EuroClub is Liverpool's official party venue for special parties, the official after parties and performances by participants.
EuroClub 2023 will be located at Camp and Furnace, located at 67 Greenland Street, and will open from Friday, 5 May to Saturday, 13 May. Camp and Furnace is made up of a range of versatile warehouse and studio spaces, creating an industrial and rustic atmosphere. As the Euroclub it will be able to host over 2000 party goers every night.
OGAE UK - the UK branch of the international fan club - and its friends from OGAE Ukraine are working with Camp and Furnace and some of the best Eurovision DJs around to offer 9 nights of Eurovision music. As well as being the place to dance the night away, Euroclub will feature some very special acts, both from this year’s Eurovision and previous contests.
Members of OGAE have pre-sale access to week passes (which cover Sunday 7 – Saturday 13 May). Day tickets and tickets for the general public will go on sale in March. For more information visit euroclub2023.co.uk. It is recommended that all tickets (both day passes and weekly passes) are purchased in advance, but a small number of day passes may be available on the door.
OGAE weekly passes (which cover 7th-13th May) cost £88.50, with day tickets expected to cost £17.10.
