When is Eurovision 2023 final

Arrangements for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 are falling into place, and the final host city is set to be revealed.

Eurovision will be held in the UK next year instead of Ukraine, where the 2022 victors are from. The decision was made due to avoid the difficulties and danger of Ukraine hosting the event because of the invasion by Russia. The UK came second with musician Sam Ryder in 2022.

But it is more than just the final. Each country will hold its own heats to find a competitor, and there are several rounds to the competition.

Here’s everything you need to know.

The Eurovision 2023 final will be held in May next year. The exact date is yet to be confirmed, but it will be on a Saturday night.

The semi-finals will be held in the week leading up to the big finale. This year the two semi-finals were on 10 and 12 May, with the final on Saturday 14 May

This will be the 67th Eurovision, and the first to be hosted by the UK in 25 years.

The Eurovision heats for each country will take place in the months running up to the competition.

You can find details and dates for each country here.

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Who is in the running to host Eurovision?

The final two cities battling it out are Liverpool and Glasgow.

They were revealed last month following a seven-strong shortlist which also included Birmingham, Leeds, Newcastle, Sheffield and Manchester.

Following the announcement of the final two, further discussions were due to take place with officials from Glasgow and Liverpool, with the final decision a matter for the BBC in conjunction with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

The bidding process to select the host city was jointly managed by the BBC and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

The cities’ bids were judged on the following criteria:

• Having a suitable venue and sufficient space to deliver the requirements of the Eurovision Song Contest
• The commitment that can be made by a city or region to hosting the event, including the financial contribution
• The strength of the cultural offer which includes off-screen local and regional activity as well as showcasing Ukrainian culture and music
• Alignment with the BBC’s strategic priorities as a public service broadcaster, such as providing value to all audiences and supporting the creative economy in the UK

Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken said: “The competition has been very strong but Glasgow has an unrivalled track record for successfully hosting major global events.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also previously voiced her support for Glasgow as the home of the contest in June, with the OVO Hydro arena, which features in the Netflix film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story Of Fire Saga, in the city previously rumoured to be a favourite location to host the contest for the UK.

Scottish singer Lulu represented Britain at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1969, with song “Boom Bang-A-Bang”. She was the joint winner that year as she shared the prize with France, Netherlands and Spain with 18 points apiece.

Liverpool Mayor Joanne Anderson said she was “absolutely delighted” the city had made the final two.

“Nowhere throws a party quite like us,” she tweeted. “The people, communities and businesses of our city are ready to put on a show – for Ukraine, the UK and for Europe.”

Liverpool, which has been a Unesco City of Music since 2015, is synonymous with The Beatles and has a rich musical heritage.

Phil Harrold, the chairman of the BBC’s host city selection committee, said: “Thanks to all seven 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.”

When will the Eurovision host be announced?

The BBC will reveal the Eurovision 2023 host city during BBC’s The One Show, which airs from 7pm to 7.30pm on Friday 7 October.

It will be revealed by Eurovision favourite Graham Norton.

During BBC Radio 2’s Ken Bruce show on Friday, the presenter revealed that Eurovision veteran Norton will make the announcement of which city will host and the date of the grand finale.

Bruce said: “As you probably know there are two cities left in the race to host Eurovision 2023 on behalf of Ukraine – Glasgow and Liverpool.

“But the finish line is finally in sight because I can confirm that on The One Show tonight, Graham Norton will finally reveal which city will be hosting the 67th Eurovision Song Contest next May.

“He’ll also tell us the date of the grand final.”

How can I get tickets for Eurovision 2023?

Ticket information will not be released until the host city is confirmed. Typically Eurovision tickets have been released in November or December.

There are nine shows you will be able to purchase tickets for:

• Grand Final: Live TV Show (Saturday evening), Jury Show (Friday evening), Family Show (Saturday afternoon)
• First Semi-Final: Live TV Show (Tuesday evening), Jury Show (Monday evening), Family Show (Tuesday afternoon)
• Second Semi Final: Live TV Show (Thursday evening), Jury Show (Wednesday evening), Family Show (Thursday afternoon)

The Jury Show is a full run through of the show that takes place the night before the televised version. It’s when the international juries cast their votes for the participants.

The Family Show is a separate run-through that takes place earlier in the day before the live show. It serves as one final rehearsal for the artists and crew. The earlier time makes it a good option for families with younger children.

It is typically easier to secure tickets for the jury and family shows than the live final.

Prices vary depending on which show you attend. Semi-final rehearsals cost as little as £10 this year, while a ticket for the final could cost up to £350.

Why is the UK hosting Eurovision?

Eurovision’s organisers decided earlier this year that the UK would step in for Ukraine, due to the Russian invasion.

The UK became the presumptive replacement after TikTok star Sam Ryder came second in the 2022 contest with the song “Spaceman” – the best British result for two decades.

Oleh Psiuk, the lead singer of Ukraine’s 2022 winners Kalush Orchestra, said in a statement to i: “We are grateful to the UK for their solidarity and for agreeing to hold the event in support of our country.

“We hope Eurovision 2023 will have a Ukrainian flavour and celebrate our beautiful, unique culture.

“We, in turn, will make all efforts to help Ukraine win next year as well, so that Eurovision 2024 can take place in a peaceful country.”

What date will Eurovision 2023 final be?

Who will have Eurovision 2023?

How much are Eurovision tickets normally?