Newcastle has officially thrown its hat into the ring to host next year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
The North East city is the latest to announce a bid to host the 2023 competition after organisers, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), decided it could not be held in war-torn Ukraine.
Newcastle City Council has announced it will join a variety of UK cities including London, Manchester and Glasgow in bidding to host the annual music competition.
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The NewcastleGateshead Initiative is behind the bid on behalf of Newcastle City Council with the city a potentially ideal location for the event.
NewcastleGateshead destination director Ian Thomas said: “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to welcome a huge number of international visitors, performers and media to the north east of England and to showcase our world-class culture, rich heritage and vibrant region to the world.
“The potential impact of Newcastle hosting Eurovision 2023 is phenomenal. Eurovision will play a significant role in rejuvenating and sustaining our visitor economy, supporting our businesses and creating an even better place for our residents.
“We’ve seen other large events such as the European Professional Rugby Club finals attract 95,000 fans to the region which contributed £24 million to our visitor economy in 2019, and World Transplant Games also in 2019 brought in attendees from over 50 countries which pushed hotel occupancy rates up by 13%, supporting the hospitality supply chain and helping to sustain jobs within the industry.
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“Eurovision will be on an even bigger scale, and we welcome this fantastic opportunity to bring this to the region.”
The BBC and EBU will decide where the contest will be held with the national broadcaster saying it may “consult” the UK Government on the decision.
The government may be keen to ensure it is held outside of London to keep to its promises of levelling-up.
Councillor Alex Hay of Newcastle City Council said: “We are delighted to be bidding to host Eurovision 2023 on behalf of Ukraine and stand in solidarity with its people.
“We are collaborating with partners across the region to help make this a reality for Newcastle, to do Ukraine proud and to embody everything that Eurovision stands for.”
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The UK was given the chance to host Eurovision for the ninth time – more than any other country – after Sam Ryder came second in the competition.
Once all the applications have been received, a shortlist will be announced on the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show on August 12.
London, Sheffield and Leeds are among those also vying to stage the competition.
Two of Scotland’s largest cities, Glasgow and Aberdeen, have also announced they will be applying.
The host city is expected to be announced by the autumn.
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