Skip to main content
Looking towards Glasgow Cathedral

Glasgow

Glasgow was one of seven cities in the United Kingdom shortlisted to host the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023. On Tuesday 27 September, the seven cities were narrowed down to two.  Liverpool was selected as the Host City on Friday 7 October.

BirminghamGlasgowLeedsLiverpoolManchesterNewcastleSheffield

Gaun yersel! Glasgow, the biggest city in Scotland, has an epic history and architectural heritage that spans from the medieval to the modern.

In 2008, Glasgow was named the United Kingdom’s first UNESCO City of Music, thanks to its heritage and contemporary vibrant and varied music scene that hosts nearly over 130 music events every week, more than any other Scottish city. And let’s not forget the city’s OVO Hydro arena appears in the Netflix film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.

The Eurovision connections don’t end there either! Glasgow girl Lulu won the 1969 Contest with Boom Bang-a-Bang.

Over the years, the city has produced an enviable list of popular bands, covering everything from the new wave and post-punk vibes of Altered Images and Simple Minds, through to the indie and electronica of Franz Ferdinand, Belle & Sebastian, Travis, Primal Scream, and Bis - known for their aptly titled hit Eurodisco.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum People Make Glasgow

This huge musical offering is equalled by venues of varying sizes and styles. The iconic Barrowland Ballroom, famous amongst fans and musicians, emits an atmosphere like no other, whilst smaller venues such as King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut and Nice N Sleazy ooze coolness and offer a great place just to hang out. 

The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and Old Fruitmarket provide a more traditional setting for all types of music, whilst outdoor spaces such as the Kelvingrove Bandstand present a scenic backdrop to accompany live performances. Each venue comes with its own instantly recognisable personality.

While Glasgow is known as the gateway to Scotland’s great outdoors, it is also the ultimate destination for an urban Scottish experience. Distillery tours, ceilidhs, Highland cows and playing the pipes are just some of the nation’s delightful experiences to discover in the city.

Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, had this to say:

‘Glasgow has an unrivalled track-record for successfully hosting major global events and we’re confident we can present a Eurovision that reflects a true celebration of Ukrainian culture. 

As the UK’s first UNESCO City of Music – a title we share with Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv – Glasgow offers one of the most immersive live music experiences in the world and international visitors regularly cite our enviable music credentials as a reason for coming here. Add to that our OVO Hydro, which is consistently ranked in the world’s top five entertainment arenas, and our famously warm Glaswegian welcome, and we tick all the boxes for hosting a show that the Eurovision community, and the world, will long remember.’

 

Park Circus, Glasgow
Park Circus, Glasgow People Make Glasgow

You can find out more about Glasgow and their bid on the People Make Glasgow FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTube and website.

And don’t forget to sign up to the official Eurovision Song Contest newsletter and subscribe to our social media channels (YouTubeInstagramTikTokTwitter and Facebook) to be the first to find out how to secure tickets for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023.