Having come second to 2022 winners Ukraine, the UK was selected as the host nation of the event due to Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia. The forthcoming instalment of the competition is therefore set to contain elements that reflect and celebrate Ukraine, too.
The UK’s second-placed finish came as a result of Sam Ryder’s stellar effort in Turin, Italy, earlier this year. Ryder has since gone on to become something of a national treasure – or at least shown early inklings of being one – with his affable personality and having performed as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June.
Once the UK was decided as a location for the event, the process of selecting the exact city has been a tight race, with scores of councillors, politicians and local leaders coming out to claim why their city should win the right to have tens of thousands of visitors and some 160 million TV viewers focusing on them when the competition kicks off.
The cities therefore had to abide by a set of criteria, which included having a suitable venue space of at least 10,000 capacity; are within easy reach of an international airport, with enough hotel space for 2,000 delegates, journalists and spectators; can offer a strong cultural showing of regional activity as well as Ukrainian culture and music; and align with the BBC’s “strategic priorities as a public service broadcaster”.
Given the logistical requirements for hosting the Eurovision Song Contest, a venue in the host city also needs to have preparation time of six to eight weeks in the run-up to the event, moving all other concerts and events in its schedule.
And now, that prestigious position will go to either Liverpool or Glasgow.
