GLASGOW is one of two remaining cities left on the list of potential hosts for next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, the BBC has announced.
Scotland’s largest city is on the list alongside Liverpool with a final decision to be made “within weeks”.
The UK is set to host the competition after organisers decided that this year’s winner, Ukraine, could not do so due to the ongoing war.
Some 20 cities expressed interest in hosting the international contest, which was whittled down to seven earlier this summer.
Now it has been decided that Glasgow and Liverpool, which both offer riverside arena venues, have the “strongest overall offers”.
Requirements for the successful city included “a suitable venue and sufficient space to deliver the requirements of the Song Contest”, necessary commitment to the contest including a financial contribution, and “alignment with the BBC’s strategic priorities as a public service broadcaster”.
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon previously voiced her support for Glasgow as the home of the contest in June, with the OVO Hydro arena, which features in the Netflix film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, in the city previously rumoured to be a favourite location to host the contest for the UK.
The news has prompted a call for Scotland to put forward its own Eurovision entry as a way of securing a legacy for the country’s creative sector.
Alba Party Westminster leader Neale Hanvey said like in the Commonwealth Games, each nation should get to present itself in the competition.
Hanvey said: ”As we have seen in the summer from the highly successful Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, home nations competing in their own right is good for sport across the British Isles."
He added: “I’m in no doubt that Unionist politicians will relish any opportunity to plaster Union flags all over the Yes city of Glasgow in the run-up to the 2023 independence referendum, but the opportunity of a Scottish entry would provide a genuine boost to our creative and cultural sectors, leaving a positive legacy from the Eurovision Song Contest similar to that of the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.”
Meanwhile the leader of Glasgow City Council said the city has “everything it takes” to host Eurovision.
“We’re excited that Glasgow has made it to the final two cities in the running to host Eurovision and a celebration of Ukraine next year,” Susan Aitken said.
“The competition has been very strong but Glasgow has an unrivalled track record for successfully hosting major global events.
“Between that experience and expertise; our famous live music scene and one of the world’s top entertainment venues in the OVO Hydro – Glasgow has everything it takes to host a show that the whole Eurovision family can be proud of.”
And the Scottish Greens added that Glasgow would be the "perfect location" for the contest.
“Whether it's COP26, the Commonwealth Games or the European Athletics Championships, Glasgow’s ability to host major events and put on a great welcome has been proven beyond a doubt," said MSP Ross Greer (above).
“Liverpool is a great city in its own right, and personally my favourite city outside of Scotland, but Eurovision fans are already familiar with the Hydro from its ‘hosting’ of the grand final in last year’s Netflix Eurovision movie. So why not bring the movie to life? It would be an unforgettable event for Glasgow and knowing many Eurovision fans across Europe, I’ve no doubt that they would be excited to come here for the party."
