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Eurovision 2023: When is it and how do you get tickets? Eurovision 2023: When is it and can you still get tickets?
(5 days later)
Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra won the 2022 Eurovision song contest with their song StefaniaUkraine's Kalush Orchestra won the 2022 Eurovision song contest with their song Stefania
The countdown has started for Eurovision, the world's biggest international song contest. The countdown has begun for this year's Eurovision song contest, which will be broadcast live from Liverpool in May.
More than 160 million people are expected to watch the 2023 final, which will be broadcast live from Liverpool in May.
The UK is staging the contest on behalf of 2022 winners Ukraine.The UK is staging the contest on behalf of 2022 winners Ukraine.
When is Eurovision?When is Eurovision?
The Eurovision final will take place at the M&S Bank Arena on the waterfront in Liverpool on Saturday 13 May.The Eurovision final will take place at the M&S Bank Arena on the waterfront in Liverpool on Saturday 13 May.
It will be the first Eurovision Song Contest to be held in the UK for 25 years.It will be the first Eurovision Song Contest to be held in the UK for 25 years.
The competition is made up of two semi-finals and the grand final - all of which will be broadcast live.The competition is made up of two semi-finals and the grand final - all of which will be broadcast live.
This year's semis will take place on Tuesday 9 May and Thursday 11 May. Ten countries from each will go through to the final. This year's semi-finals will take place on Tuesday 9 May and Thursday 11 May, with ten countries from each show going through to the final.
In addition, the UK, Italy, France, Spain, and Germany are already guaranteed a spot in the final, along with last year's winners, Ukraine. In addition, the UK, Italy, France, Spain and Germany are already guaranteed a spot, along with last year's winners, Ukraine.
This means 26 countries will compete in the final.This means 26 countries will compete in the final.
Eurovision's semi-final allocation draw explainedEurovision's semi-final allocation draw explained
How can I get Eurovision tickets and what will they cost? Can I still get Eurovision tickets?
Tickets for all of the Eurovision shows will go on sale at 12:00 GMT on Tuesday 7 March. Tickets for all of the Eurovision shows went on sale at 12:00 GMT on Tuesday 7 March on the UK Ticketmaster website.
As well as the three televised live shows - the semi-finals and the final - there are six preview shows which double up as dress rehearsals. As well as the three televised live shows - the semi-finals and the final - there are six preview shows which double as dress rehearsals. All nine events are ticketed.
A mock-up of how Liverpool's M&S Bank Arena is expected to look hosting the Eurovision Song Contest A mock-up of how Liverpool's M&S Bank Arena is expected to look for the hosting of the Eurovision Song Contest
Tickets can only be bought from the UK Ticketmaster website, regardless of where you live. Prices ranged from £90 to £290 for the live semi-final shows, and from £160 to £380 for the live grand final. Preview show tickets cost between £30 and £280.
You can only purchase tickets for one show at a time. Grand final tickets sold out within 36 minutes on the first day of sale. An hour later organisers said all remaining public shows were also fully booked.
Prices range from £90 to £290 for the live semi-final shows, and from £160 to £380 for the live grand final. About 3,000 tickets are being made available to Ukrainians living in the UK.
Preview show tickets will cost between £30 and £280.
About 3,000 tickets will also be made available to Ukrainians living in the UK.
How can I watch Eurovision?How can I watch Eurovision?
More than 160 million people around the world are expected to watch the 2023 final.
In the UK, Eurovision will be broadcast live on BBC One.In the UK, Eurovision will be broadcast live on BBC One.
The programme will be hosted by Graham Norton, Hannah Waddingham, Alesha Dixon and Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina. The BBC's coverage will be hosted by Graham Norton, Hannah Waddingham, Alesha Dixon and Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina.
This year's competition is being held in Liverpool on behalf of Ukraine who won last year's event This year's competition is being held in Liverpool, on behalf of Ukraine who won last year's event
A special fan zone will accommodate up to 25,000 people at Liverpool's Pier Head, close to the M&S Bank Arena. In addition, a special fan zone will accommodate up to 25,000 people at Liverpool's Pier Head, close to the arena.
Events planned include a submarine parade and a rave which will take place simultaneously in Kyiv. Events planned include a submarine parade through the city and a rave which will take place simultaneously in Liverpool and Kyiv.
Subscribe to the Eurovisioncast podcast on BBC Sounds
Why is the UK hosting Eurovision?Why is the UK hosting Eurovision?
Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra won the 2022 Eurovision song contest with their song Stefania.Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra won the 2022 Eurovision song contest with their song Stefania.
Usually, the winning country hosts the following year's competition. But the ongoing war in Ukraine makes this impossible. Normally, the winning country hosts the following year's competition, but the ongoing war in Ukraine makes this impossible.
The UK's Sam Ryder finished second to Ukraine in the 2022 contestThe UK's Sam Ryder finished second to Ukraine in the 2022 contest
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organises the contest, invited the UK to host it on Ukraine's behalf because its 2022 entrant, Sam Ryder, was runner up. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organises the contest, invited the UK to host on Ukraine's behalf because UK contestant Sam Ryder, was the runner up in the 2022 show.
It will be the ninth time the UK has hosted the competition and the fifth time it has done so on behalf of another country. It will be the ninth time the UK has hosted the competition, and the fifth time it has done so on behalf of another country.
How the UK broke its Eurovision losing streakHow the UK broke its Eurovision losing streak
Who will represent the UK?
The UK has not yet confirmed who will represent the country in this year's contest.
Past Brit Award nominees Rina Sawayama, Birdy and Mimi Webb have all been tipped as possible participants.
As in recent years, there won't be a televised national selection show.
Most of the other participating countries have already revealed their artists and songs.
How much does Eurovision cost?How much does Eurovision cost?
The 37 broadcasters taking part in the contest each pay an entrance fee to the EBU. In recent years these fees have totalled about £5m. The BBC does not make its contribution public. Broadcasters from the 37 countries taking part each pay an entrance fee to the EBU. In recent years these fees have totalled about £5m. The BBC does not make its contribution public.
Russia used to be a significant financial contributor, but was expelled from the competition following its invasion of Ukraine. Russia was expelled from the competition following its invasion of Ukraine.
BBC News has been told countries have been asked to pay more to make up for the loss. Three countries have said they will not take part as a result of the increase. BBC News has been told countries have been asked to pay more to make up for its loss. Three countries have said they will not take part as a result of the increase.
Some broadcasters are also thought to be worried about the additional costs of transporting equipment to the UK now it is no longer a member of the EU.Some broadcasters are also thought to be worried about the additional costs of transporting equipment to the UK now it is no longer a member of the EU.
The 2023 contest's slogan is "United by music"The 2023 contest's slogan is "United by music"
Staging the event is expected to cost the BBC between £8m and £17m.Staging the event is expected to cost the BBC between £8m and £17m.
The UK government has pledged £10m towards operational costs while local authorities in Liverpool have committed £4m. The UK government has pledged £10m towards operational costs, while local authorities in Liverpool have committed £4m.
How does the voting work?How does the voting work?
The semi-finals are decided by a public vote, but arrangements for the final are more complicated. The semi-finals are decided by a public vote, but the final is more complicated.
Each of the 26 participating countries has a jury whose members rank all the final performances. Each of the 26 countries has a jury whose members rank all the final performances.
They award a fixed number of points to their top 10 acts: 12, 10, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two or one. They award a fixed number of points to their top 10 acts: Respectively 12 points, 10 points, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two and one.
These jury vote results are announced by each country in turn on the night. The jury results are announced by each country in turn on the night.
Then, based on viewer votes, the competing countries also give the other contestants points, using the same scoring system. Competing countries then award points to the other contestants based on viewer votes, following the same scoring system.
For the first time, in 2023 public votes from outside Europe will play a part. For the first time, in 2023 public votes from outside Europe will play a part. Worldwide votes will be combined and counted as if they are another country.
These worldwide votes will be combined and counted as if they are one other country, will follow the same scoring system.
Why does Australia take part in Eurovision?Why does Australia take part in Eurovision?
Eurovision has been popular in Australia since the 1980s, and in 2015 it was invited to send an act as part of the contest's 60th anniversary celebrations. Eurovision has long been popular in Australia, and in 2015 it was invited to send an act as part of the contest's 60th anniversary celebrations.
It has been allowed to take part ever since. Like European countries, it pays a fee to the EBU to help fund the event.It has been allowed to take part ever since. Like European countries, it pays a fee to the EBU to help fund the event.
Kate Miller-Heidkes represented Australia in 2019 in Tel AvivKate Miller-Heidkes represented Australia in 2019 in Tel Aviv
However, Australia is barred from hosting. If it were ever to win, it would have to nominate a European nation to stage the contest on its behalf. However, Australia is barred from hosting. If it ever won, it would have to nominate a European nation to stage the contest on its behalf.
Other non-European countries including Israel are also allowed participate because they are members of the EBU. Other non-European countries, including Israel, are also allowed participate because they are members of the EBU.
Eurovisioncast is available on BBC Sounds, or search wherever you get your podcasts from.Eurovisioncast is available on BBC Sounds, or search wherever you get your podcasts from.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
Sam RyderSam Ryder
Eurovision Song ContestEurovision Song Contest
LiverpoolLiverpool
UkraineUkraine