Newcastle City Council has announced today (8 August) that Newcastle will officially be bidding to host the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023.
The announcement follows a flurry of excitement as cities across the UK throw their hats in to the ring to become the next host of this international competition.
The UK offered to host Eurovision 2023 as runners up with Sam Ryder’s hit ‘Spaceman’. after it was confirmed that 2022 winners, Ukraine, would be unable to host the competition next year due to the ongoing Russian invasion.
Newcastle is up against competition from towns and cities across the UK including, Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester and London.
NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI) is delivering the bid on behalf of Newcastle City Council.
Ian Thomas, Destination Director at NGI, 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.
“Our bid is a region-wide effort with support from our local authorities, and public and private sector partners from across the North East as we recognise the enormity of this opportunity.
“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 £24m 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.
“Eurovision will be on an even bigger scale, and we welcome this fantastic opportunity to bring this to the region.”
Cabinet Member for a Resilient City, Cllr Alex Hay, 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.
“We’re committed to making Newcastle a better place for our residents and visitors, and hosting Eurovision will be a crucial tool in achieving that.
“It will not only showcase the city and its incredible people on a global stage, but it will have a tangible social and economic impact in bringing financial investment into the city, helping change perceptions of the North East, and build a lasting legacy for our city.
“We have a strong record of hosting national and international events such as World Transplant Games, Exhibition of the North, European Professional Club Rugby and Rugby World Cup. Newcastle is a gateway to the rest of the UK, with a major international airport and excellent connectivity across the region, making it an accessible destination for people from all over the world.
“We are a certified City of Sanctuary, which strengthens our message that everyone is welcome here. Music is a big part of our heritage and it’s time for us to write a new verse in that history.
“We are Newcastle, we are a safe city, famous for our Geordie welcome, we stand united with Ukraine – and we are the perfect host for Eurovision 2023.”
Cabinet member for a Vibrant City, Cllr Lesley Storey, said:
“I am delighted that Newcastle has submitted its bid to host the Eurovision song contest. The city has so much to offer, and it would be the perfect place to hold such an exciting and international event.
“As a City of Sanctuary, we welcome people here from all around the world regardless of where they have come or what they have experienced and work hard to make them feel part of the community, as has happened with many of the Ukrainian families who have come here since the war began.
“We have a rich and diverse culture and are outward looking – people all around the world have heard of Newcastle and have a great time when they come here.
“Our communities would really take Eurovision to their hearts and create a wonderful buzz and atmosphere around it if Newcastle was chosen. We will have everything crossed as excitement builds towards a final shortlist.”