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 could not be held in Ukraine. Instead, the BBC hosted Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool, United Kingdom
Date: When was Eurovision 2023?
The Eurovision week had 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 started at 21:00 CEST and were 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 was 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.
Arena: 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 participated at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023:
Changes from Eurovision 2022
3 countries from Eurovision 2022 didn't participate in Eurovision 2023:
Who's in which Semi-final?
Ukraine and the Big-5 countries (Germany, France, Italy, Spain and United Kingdom) were pre-qualified for the Grand Final on 13 May 2023. The rest of the countries were allocated to one of the two Semi-finals that were held on 9 and 11 May 2023. The allocation draw was made on 31 January, while the Semi-finals' running order were announced on 22 March.
10 countries from each of the two Semi-finals qualified for the Grand Final that featured a total of 26 countries: 10 from Semi-final 1, 10 from Semi-final 2, Big-5 and Ukraine.
Tickets
The first wave of tickets for Eurovision 2023 went on sale on 7 March and were sold out within 2.5 hours. The second wave of tickets went on sale on 24 April.
Eurovision Village: Pier Head
Location: Pier Head
Eurovision Village was the official festival area during Eurovision Song Contest 2023.
In Eurovision Village you could see live performances by artists, DJs, special events and public viewing of the shows broadcast from the Arena.
Eurovision Village had a capacity for 25,000 people and was open from 13:00 to 23:00 (British time). On Saturday 13 May it closed after the Grand Final.
Eurovision Village was open for everybody. All events were free to attend except Saturday's Grand Final.
Eurovision Village 2023 was organised by the EBU and the City of Liverpool, and was 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 was Liverpool's official party venue for special parties, the official after parties and performances by participants.
EuroClub 2023 was located at Camp and Furnace, located at 67 Greenland Street, and was 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 was 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 were 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 featured some very special acts, both from this year’s Eurovision and previous contests.
Members of OGAE had pre-sale access to week passes (which covered Sunday 7 – Saturday 13 May). Day tickets and tickets for the general public went on sale in March. It was recommended that all tickets (both day passes and weekly passes) were purchased in advance, but a small number of day passes were available on the door.
OGAE weekly passes (which covered 7 - 13 May) cost £88.50, with day tickets cost £17.10.
