The 2023 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest will be hosted by Glasgow or Liverpool, it has been confirmed. 

Organisers confirmed the seven-city shortlist had been reduced to a final two, with next year’s show taking place in either Scotland or north west England. 

Martin Österdahl, Executive Supervisor for the Eurovision Song Contest, thanked the competing cities in a statement, saying: “The EBU (European Broadcasting Union) would like to warmly thank all the 7 British cities that put so much effort and enthusiasm into their bids to host next year’s Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine. We very much appreciate their cooperation and the quality and creativity of all the bids received.

“The Eurovision Song Contest is the most complex TV production in the world with very specific logistical requirements to accommodate around 40 delegations and thousands of crew, volunteers, press and fans.

“We’re confident our final two cities are the best placed to meet this challenge and look forward to continuing our discussions to choose the one which will stage the world’s largest music event next May.”

Meanwhile Phil Harrold, the chair of the BBC’s Host City Selection Committee, added: “Thanks to all 7 cities across the UK who have demonstrated the enthusiasm and passion for Eurovision that exists right across the UK. We were incredibly impressed by the quality and creativity of all the city bids, in what was a highly competitive field. 

“The Eurovision Song Contest is a very complex event and Liverpool and Glasgow have the strongest overall offer; we will continue our discussions with them to determine the eventual host city.

“We are determined to make the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest one that both reflects the winning position of Ukraine and is also an event that all of the UK can participate in.”

The final decision on the Host City of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest will be decided by the BBC in conjunction with the European Broadcasting Union.

The UK was chosen to host the contest after organisers decided it could not be staged by 2022 winners Ukraine.

“We’re exceptionally grateful that the BBC has accepted to stage the Eurovision Song Contest in the UK in 2023,” said Eurovision Song Contest Executive Supervisor Martin Österdahl 

“The BBC has taken on hosting duties for other winning countries on four previous occasions. Continuing in this tradition of solidarity, we know that next year’s Contest will showcase the creativity and skill of one of Europe’s most experienced public broadcasters whilst ensuring this year’s winners, Ukraine, are celebrated and represented throughout the event.”

It comes after UK entrant Sam Ryder finished second on the leaderboard this year with his hit Space Man.