Seven cities in the United Kingdom are in the running to host the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest.
In May, Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, and Sheffield will compete for the opportunity to host the event.
London and Belfast are among the 20 cities that indicated interest but did not make the cut.
The United Kingdom was chosen to host the competition after organizers determined that the 2022 winners, Ukraine, were unable to do it.
Sam Ryder placed second at this year’s competition in Turin, Italy.
The decision to shift it from Ukraine as a result of the ongoing war has led to a fiercely contested selection process between cities in the United Kingdom that wish to attract thousands of visitors and around 160 million TV viewers worldwide.
The shortlist of seven cities was based on their ability to demonstrate that they had “the capacity, capability, and experience to organize an event of this scale and complexity.”
The process was “heavily weighted towards establishing past expertise in holding significant international events, as well as demonstrating their credentials in presenting a celebration of modern music,” according to a statement.
At a time when the BBC and government are attempting to relocate events and opportunities outside of the city, London would have satisfied these criteria but was not chosen. Not included are Aberdeen, Brighton, Bristol, and Darlington.
As it stands, five of the nominated cities are located in the north of England, with Glasgow representing Scotland and no city south of Birmingham being considered.
There were no bids from Welsh cities, and Belfast was the sole viable candidate from Northern Ireland.
The winning city will be selected by the BBC and Eurovision organizers and announced in the fall.
Glasgow and Birmingham are the bookmakers’ favorites, while Glasgow and Manchester are the most popular among Eurovision fan sites, according to polls.
According to Eurovision organizers, the host site must be able to handle around 10,000 spectators, be close to an international airport, and have adequate hotel rooms for at least 2,000 delegates, journalists, and spectators.
A venue would be required for preparations six to eight weeks before the song contest, meaning that all viable places would have to reschedule existing performances and events.
Which city will win the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023?
Birmingham
This was the last location in the United Kingdom to host Eurovision, in 1998, and it has just held a significant international event, the Commonwealth Games.
Resorts World Arena, which has a capacity of 15,685, is adjacent to Birmingham airport, a train station, and highways, and is part of a complex that also has an exposition center and hotels. In March, it hosted the star-studded Concert For Ukraine.
Glasgow
Will Ferrell’s 2020 Netflix film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga will feature outside shots of the 14,300-capacity OVO Hydro arena. In some respects, this is a perfect location for the film.
In addition to being adjacent to exhibition centers that could be useful for services such as a press center, the site in the city center also features a nearby train station and hotels.
Leeds
Leeds had hoped to be the European Capital of Culture in 2023, but Brexit barred British towns from competing. Unfazed, the city continues to organize its year of culture. The council concludes that Eurovision “could not have come at a better moment.”
The 13,781-seat First Direct Arena is located in the city center, adjacent to hotels and train stations, and has a capacity of 13,781.
Liverpool
The rich musical legacy of The Beatles’ hometown annually attracts tens of thousands of international tourists. In 2008, the MTV Europe Music Awards was one of its previous main events.
Eurovision would be held in the dockside M&S Bank Arena, which has a capacity of 11,000 and is adjacent to a convention complex and close to hotels and rail stations in the city core.
Manchester
Manchester has the largest Ukrainian community outside of London and the largest indoor stadium in the UK, the 21,000-capacity AO Arena.
This year, the BBC’s Eurovision headquarters moved to Salford in Greater Manchester, with AJ Odudu giving the UK scores from MediaCity.
Newcastle
The 11,000-seat Utilita Arena is adjacent to the city’s primary train station and other facilities.
The Town Moor and Exhibition Park, located on the opposite side of the city center, will be transformed into a “Eurovision village,” according to the city council.
Sheffield
Sheffield is partnered with the Ukrainian city of Donetsk, and its 13,600-seat Utilita Arena is located outside of the city center but is accessible by tram and road.
It was constructed for the World Student Games, hosted the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2008, and served as the media hub and finish line for The Tour de France Grand Depart in 2014.
The Culture Secretary of the United Kingdom, Nadine Dorries, stated that the nation was “committed to delivering a competition that reflects Ukraine’s rich culture and innovation.” She congratulated the shortlisted cities and stated, “Regardless of which one is selected, it will be a great event that will make both the United Kingdom and Ukraine proud.”
Kate Phillips, the director of unscripted content for the BBC, stated, “We are determined to create a unique Song Contest that celebrates Ukraine and encourages British music and creativity in all of its diversity.”
