Two of Yorkshire’s cities, Sheffield and Leeds have officially been shortlisted to host Eurovision next year. It was revealed on the Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on Radio 2 this morning.
There was a guest appearance from Eurovision Song Contest Executive Supervisor Martin Osterdahl, who declared the Host City race ‘good to go’.
The UK has previously hosted Eurovision eight times, and now due to Sam Ryder’s iconic performance of Space Man. It garnered him a second place position and now one of the UK’s cities will host Eurovision 2023. If either Leeds and Sheffield are successful it will be the second time that the Eurovision Song Contest travels to Yorkshire, as 1982 was held in Harrogate.
Seven cities have been shortlisted for the contest including Birmingham, Glasgow Liverpool, Manchester, and Newcastle.
Leeds First Direct Arena can hold 13,000 spectators and Sheffield’s Utilita Sheffield Arena can hold 13,600.
The requirements for Eurovision Song Contest Host City are below:
- An indoor venue that can house circa 10,000 spectators
- An international airport in close proximity
- Hotel capacity (2,000 rooms available) for delegations, artists, journalists and accredited officials
- An efficient transport system in the city
- Infrastructure/ venues/ locations to house the Eurovision Village, Press Centre, Delegation Bubble, Euroclub, Opening Ceremony Event, Turquoise Carpet.
The EBU is set to release a list of potential Eurovision 2023 host cities on Radio 2 on the 12th August with the host city being announced in autumn.
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Source: BBC/ First Direct Arena
