Earlier today it was announced that the UK is set to host the Eurovision song contest in 2023.
According to Eurovision’s press release Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield, Swindon and Wolverhampton have so far announced their intentions to enter the bidding which is expected to start later this week.
Despite being named in the official press release the council have been quick to dismiss the idea of Swindon hosting the event with a Swindon Borough Council spokesperson saying: “We won’t be bidding to be the host of Eurovision.
And for any Swindonians getting their hopes up of the contest coming to town next May, it appears you are going to have to settle for being part of the estimated audience at more than 200 million viewers tuning in to watch the show with the council continuing, “We’re flattered to have our name linked with such an amazing event and we look forward to watching (on TV) next year.”
The European Broadcast Union main requirements for any host city are:
- A host venue able to accommodate at least 10,000 spectators
- A press centre for 1,500 journalists (even if only 500 were allowed at last year’s press centre)
- A city served by an international airport
- Hotel accommodation for at least 2,000 delegates, journalists and spectators
