Sheffield joins an expanding list of cities that have confirmed they will bid to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.
Sheffield is the latest city to officially confirm it is progressing with a bid to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. A statement released by the council confirms that its bid proposes the Utilita Sheffield Arena as the venue for next May’s competition. The Utilita Sheffield Arena (also known as the Sheffield Arena), has a capacity of 13,600 and has been used for concerts and sporting events since it opened in 1991.
In a statement Sheffield City Council has confirmed it will bid to host Eurovision 2023, having previously shown an interest in the contest. The statement reads:
Sheffield stands in solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, including those we have long been linked with in our twinned city Donetsk.
Sheffield has a proven reputation for hosting major international events – recently including UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, as well as hosting the World Snooker Championship for over 45 years. Later this year, Sheffield will host the Rugby League World Cup, as well as the prestigious figure skating grand prix, the MK John Wilson Trophy.
Sheffield’s main arena, the Utilita Sheffield Arena, is a 13,600-capacity venue, that delivers more than 100 events every year. We also have a thriving and diverse hospitality industry, with world-class hotels across our green city.
Councillor Martin Smith, Chair of the Economic Development and Skills Committee at Sheffield City Council, said:
“Sheffield is made for hosting Eurovision – music runs through our blood and we put on a good show. We’ve been hosting the World Snooker Championship for over 45 years, we’ve welcomed thousands of fans to UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, and just this weekend Sam Ryder wowed absolutely everyone at Tramlines Festival.
“We have the infrastructure, the venues, the hospitality, and the transport links. We also have one of the strongest creative and cultural sectors in the country.
“We have a long and important relationship with Ukraine, particularly with our twinned city of Donetsk. This began in 1956, and intensified during the 1980s – aided by the similarities of our cities, both having a steel and mining heritage.
“As the UK’s first designated City of Sanctuary, we’re reaching out to offer our city not only as a place of sanctuary, but as a place to celebrate the unity and togetherness that Eurovision symbolises.
“Sheffield stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine – we are putting ourselves forward to host Eurovision 2023 to do its people proud.”
Bidding for Eurovision 2023
The following cities have confirmed that work has started on their bids:
- Aberdeen
- Glasgow
- Liverpool
- Manchester
- Sheffield
While the following cities have already stated their intention to submit a bid:
The 2023 contest will be the first contest since 1979 in which the winning nation was unable to host the following contest. It is the sixth occasion overall on which the country has hosted after the original host nation was unable to, following the Netherlands in 1960, France in 1963, Monaco in 1972, Luxembourg in 1974 Israel in 1980 and Ukraine in 2023. The 2023 contest will also extend the United Kingdom’s record of hosting Eurovision to nine times.
Kalush Orchestra won the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 with the song “Stefania”. It was Ukraine’s third victory in the contest’s history.
Image Source: BCDS / Wikimedia | Source: Sheffield City Council
