Eurovision 2023: Sheffield City Council announces its hosting bid – ‘music runs through our blood’

Sheffield will be entering a bid to become the host city for Eurovision 2023, which is coming to the UK as war-torn Ukraine cannot perform the role.
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At least 17 UK cities hope to host the popular music contest. Usually the winning nation hosts the following year but the BBC took on the job as Tramlines star Sam Ryder was runner-up to Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra.

Sheffield City Council said that it “stands in solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, including those we have long been linked with in our twinned city Donetsk.

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“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.

Sheffield Utilita Arena.Sheffield Utilita Arena.
Sheffield Utilita Arena.

“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.”

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Councillor Martin Smith, chair of Sheffield City Council’s economic development and skills committee, said: “Sheffield is made for hosting Eurovision – music runs through our blood and we put on a good show.

Eurovision hero Sam Ryder delighting the T'Other Stage crowd at Tramlines in Hillsborough Park at the weekend - Sheffield has announced its bid to host next year's Eurovision after Ukraine had to turn it downEurovision hero Sam Ryder delighting the T'Other Stage crowd at Tramlines in Hillsborough Park at the weekend - Sheffield has announced its bid to host next year's Eurovision after Ukraine had to turn it down
Eurovision hero Sam Ryder delighting the T'Other Stage crowd at Tramlines in Hillsborough Park at the weekend - Sheffield has announced its bid to host next year's Eurovision after Ukraine had to turn it down
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“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.

Sheffield Town Hall flying the Ukraine flag with the clock lit up in blue and yellow - Sheffield City Council has announced its bid to host Eurovision 2023, which is coming to the UK as war-torn Ukraine is unable to do soSheffield Town Hall flying the Ukraine flag with the clock lit up in blue and yellow - Sheffield City Council has announced its bid to host Eurovision 2023, which is coming to the UK as war-torn Ukraine is unable to do so
Sheffield Town Hall flying the Ukraine flag with the clock lit up in blue and yellow - Sheffield City Council has announced its bid to host Eurovision 2023, which is coming to the UK as war-torn Ukraine is unable to do so
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“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.”