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ESC 2023 To Disrupt Schedule Of UK Host Venue
Next year’s Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) will take place in the UK, and not, as is tradition, in the home of this year’s winners Kalush Orchestra from Ukraine.
For safety reasons, it was decided not to host ESC 2023 in Ukraine, but rather in the home country of this year’s runner-up, Sam Ryder from the UK. The BBC will pay between £8 million ($9.7 million) and £16 million ($19.3 million) to broadcast the event, which is organized by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
While the host city hasn’t been determined yet, it’s clear that a mammoth operation such as the ESC will severely disrupt the schedule of whichever venue will be selected to host the televised extravaganza.
See: UK To Host 2023 Eurovision After Ukraine Ruled Too Risky
Depending on where ESC 2023 will eventually take place, tours that could be affected include Celine Dion, André Rieu, Magic Mike as well as some Elton John residencies.
Several council officials told BBC News that they were told by ESC organizers, producers would require at least six weeks ahead of the song contest to prepare the event. This will disrupt the schedule of any building chosen as the host venue. Cities hoping to host the event will be shortlisted this coming Friday, Aug. 12.
According to the report, the mayor of Bristol, England, applied despite not having an arena. According to the report, he’s committed “to build a bespoke venue for the event in less than nine months.” The Welsh capital of Cardiff pulled out of the bid, explaining that “a significant number of scheduled events” would need to be cancelled.
The BBC report also listed potential cities and host venues, as well as the high-profile events that would be affected should they win:
See: Eurovision 2022 Winner Kalush Orchestra Announces First North American Tour
P&J Live Aberdeen, Scotland:
April 10-11 – Jurassic Live
April 20 – Magic Mike
May 25 – André Rieu
SSE Arena Belfast, Northern Ireland:
March 31 – Elton John
April 1 – Belfast Giants vs Guildford Flame
April 20 – André Rieu
April 22 – Magic Mike
April 29 – Biggest 90s Disco
May 20 – Anything For Love
Utilita Arena Belfast, Northern Ireland:
March 26-27 – Celine Dion
April 28 – Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe
May 1 – Magic Mike
Resorts World Arena Birmingham, England:
April 15 – André Rieu
April 19- Elton John
OVO Hydro Glasgow, Scotland:
April 2-3 – Celine Dion
April 18 – Sabaton
April 25 – Magic Mike
April 27 – André Rieu
First Direct Arena Leeds, England:
April 1 – Europe’s Strongest Man
April 14 – Sabaton
April 22 – Michael Starring Ben
April 29 – Magic Mike
May 11 – André Rieu
M&S Bank Arena Liverpool, England:
April 22-23 – Elton John
April 24 – Magic Mike
April 29 – Reminisce in Concert
April 30 – Michael Starring Ben
May 12 – André Rieu
O2 Arena London, England:
April 2-9 – Elton John
April 10-11 – Celine Dion
April 12-13, 16-17 – Elton John
April 21 – Rob Beckett & Josh Widdicombe
April 30 – Tokio Hotel
May 8 – Måneskin
May 14 – British Basketball Play-Off Finals
OVO Arena Wembley, London, England:
April 14 – André Rieu
April 15 – Sabaton
April 23 – Rob Beckett & Josh Widdicombe
May 4 – Stromae
AO Arena Manchester, England:
April 5-6 – Celine Dion
April 14 – Rob Beckett & Josh Widdicombe
May 2 – Magic Mike
Utilita Arena Newcastle, England:
April 27 – Magic Mike
Utilita Arena Sheffield, England:
April 1 – Steelers v Glagsow Clan
April 26 – Magic Mike
May 13 – André Rieu