When is Eurovision 2023? Air date, location and news

There are just a few months to go before the Eurovision Song Contest arrives on UK shores, with Liverpool hosting the 2023 competition much to the delight of British fans.

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While Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra won last year’s contest with their song Stefania, unfortunately, the EBU announced that Ukraine were unable to host 2023’s event due to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine – but luckily the runner-up UK was happy to step in.

Eurovision tickets are yet to go on sale, however this year’s semi-finalists have now been confirmed, with a few competing acts now revealed.

The UK’s entry has not yet been announced by the BBC but whoever they are will have a tough act to follow after TikTok star Sam Ryder shot to second place with his song Space Man.

What we do know for certain is that despite the online rumours, popstar Rina Sawayama will not be representing Britain, but let’s hope we find out the UK’s act soon!

Here’s everything we know so far about Eurovision 2023, from how to watch, when it’ll take place and which countries are participating this time.

When is Eurovision 2023?

The Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will begin with the semi-finals on Tuesday 9th May, with all the shows taking place that week.

The first semi-final show will air on the evening of Tuesday 9th May, with the family show taking place in the afternoon on Tuesday and the jury show taking place the day before.

The second semi-final will air on Thursday 11th May in the evening, with the family show taking place in the afternoon and the jury show taking place on Wednesday.

As for the main event, the Grand Final will air on Saturday 13th May in the evening, with the family show taking place in the afternoon and the jury show taking place the evening before.

Eurovision 2023 presenters

The BBC is yet to confirm which presenters are fronting this year’s Eurovision Song Contest – however, commentator Graham Norton has already ruled himself out of running and said he didn’t want to “give up commentating”, adding: “If I stop the commentating, someone else will do it and they might be better than me and then I’ll lose that job.”

However, it’s likely that Rylan Clark, AJ Odudu and Scott Mills will be involving with hosting the show, with all three playing a part in presenting and commentating for the UK in previous years.

Rylan Clark and AJ Odudu hosting the event which determine the participating countries’ semi-finals back in January on the BBC and so may well host the whole show.

Rylan told press: “I’m very much immersed in Eurovision. I’ve watched the allocation draws from other countries every year, so I’m up on who’s going to be representing who in what country when it’s been announced.

“For me, it’s pretty much like watching This Morning for years, and then going and hosting. I feel like I don’t need to prepare for it, I’m just gonna go and do it.”

Where is Eurovision 2023 being held?

Guess what, Brits – Eurovision is coming to the UK this year!

Eurovision confirmed in July last year that Britain would be hosting the 2023 competition despite Ukraine’s win due to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

“It is a matter of great regret that our colleagues and friends in Ukraine are not able to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. Being asked to host the largest and most complex music competition in the world is a great privilege,” BBC Director-General Tim Davie said in a statement.

A bidding contest for the host city took place in summer last year and it was Liverpool that emerged victorious in October, with long-time commentator Graham Norton announcing the results on The One Show.

The city defeated Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield with its bid and will be the fifth UK city to host Eurovision.

What are the UK’s favourite Eurovision entry songs ever!

The Top 40
1. Sam Ryder – Space Man (2022)
2. Bucks Fizz – Making Your Mind Up (1981)
3. Gina G – Ooh Aah… Just a Little Bit (1996)
4. Katrina and the Waves – Love Shine a Light (1997)
5. Brotherhood of Man – Save Your Kisses for Me (1976)
6. Sandie Shaw – Puppet on a String (1967)
7. Cliff Richard – Congratulations (1968)
8. The New Seekers – Beg, Steal or Borrow (1972)
9. Lulu – Boom Bang-a-Bang (1969)
10. Michael Ball – One Step Out of Time (1992)
11. Sonia – Better the Devil You Know (1993)
12. Bardo – One Step Further (1982)
13. Scooch – Flying the Flag (For You) (2007)
14. Mary Hopkin – Knock, Knock Who’s There? (1970)
15. Imaani – Where Are You? (1998)
16. Olivia Newton-John – Long Live Love (1974)
17. Daz Sampson – Teenage Life (2006)
18. Cliff Richard – Power to All Our Friends (1973)
19. Lucie Jones – Never Give Up on You (2017)
20. Lynsey de Paul & Mike Moran – Rock Bottom (1977)
21. Love City Groove – Love City Groove (1995)
22. Blue – I Can (2011)
23. The Shadows – Let Me Be the One (1975)
24. Clodagh Rodgers – Jack in the Box (1971)
25. SuRie – Storm (2018)
26. Frances Ruffelle – Lonely Symphony (We Will Be Free) (1994)
27. The Allisons – Are You Sure? (1961)
28. Molly – Children of the Universe (2014)
29. Jade Ewen – It’s My Time (2009)
30. Jessica Garlick – Come Back (2002)
31. Precious – Say It Again (1999)
32. James Newman – Embers (2021)
33. Sweet Dreams – I’m Never Giving Up (1983)
34. Co-Co – The Bad Old Days (1978)
35. Belle and the Devotions – Love Games (1984)
36. Scott Fitzgerald – Go (1988)
37. Samantha Janus – A Message to Your Heart (1991)
38. Jemini – Cry Baby (2003)
39. Electro Velvet – Still in Love with You (2015)
40. Bonnie Tyler – Believe in Me (2013)

How to watch Eurovision 2023

While the transmission details for Eurovision 2023 are yet to be confirmed, we do know that the show will air live on the BBC.

The semi-finals are typically broadcast of BBC Three and BBC iPlayer from 8pm, while the Grand Final will most likely air on Saturday 13th May on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.

Who is the UK’s Eurovision entry

The BBC is yet to reveal who will be representing the UK in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest – but they’ll have a tough time following 2022’s Sam Ryder, who came in second place.

The UK’s 2023 act will be announced in March this year and will compete with an original song as per the Eurovision rules.

In previous years, the likes of Sam Ryder, Michael Rice, SuRie, Lucie Jones, Joe and Jake, Electro Velvet, Bonnie Tyler, Blue, Engelbert Humperdinck, Jade Ewen, Scooch and other contestants.

Which countries will compete in Eurovision 2023?

In October last year, the EBU announced that 37 would be taking part in the 2023 contest next year. Bulgaria, Montenegro and North Macedonia chose not to take part due to financial reasons.

Here are all the countries taking part:

Croatia
Ireland – ‘We Are One’ by Wild Youth
Latvia
Malta
Norway – ‘Queen of Kings’ by Alessandra
Portugal
Serbia
Azerbaijan
Czech Republic – ‘My Sister’s Crown’ by Vesna
Finland
Israel – ‘Unicorn’ by Noa Kirel
Moldova
Netherlands – Mia Nicolai and Dion Cooper
Sweden
Switzerland
Armenia – Brunette
Belgium – ‘Because of You’ by Gustaph
Cyprus – Andrew Lambrou
Denmark
Estonia
Greece – ‘What They Say’ by Victor Vernicos
Iceland
Romania
Albania – ‘Duje’ by Albina & Familja Kelmendi
Australia
Austria – Teya and Salena
Georgia – Iru Khechanovi
Lithuania
Poland
San Marino
Slovenia – ‘Carpe Diem’ by Joker Out
United Kingdom
France – La Zarra
Germany
Italy
Spain – ‘Eaea’ by Blanca Paloma
Ukraine – ‘Heart of Steel’ by Tvorchi

How to get Eurovision 2023 tickets

If you’re hoping to watch this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in the flesh, then you could be in luck.

Tickets are not yet on sale for this year’s event, with Eurovision saying that it will “take a little longer to decide” the ticket prices, availability and provider while the organisers “evaluate how much space is needed for the production inside the venue”.

Last year, tickets went on sale for the contest in Turin, Italy from 7th April via Italian website TicketOne, with tickets available for all nine shows across the semi-finals and the grand final.

As for pries, last year’s tickets cost between €20 (£16.91) and €250 (£211.4) for the semi-finals, while tickets for the live final ranged between €150 (£126.85) and €350 (£296).

The Eurovision Song Contest will begin on 9th May 2023.