The eyes of the world are on Liverpool this week for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 and, after acts have battled their way through the semi finals, the event will wrap up with the grand finale.
It's now been a year since Kalush Orchestra triumphed for Ukraine in Turin with their song Stefania, beating the UK's Sam Ryder into second place. However, a decision was then taken by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) that Ukraine wouldn't be able to host, with the UK then taking the event on and Liverpool be chosen as host city.
Liverpool found out their bid had been successful back in the autumn and now Eurovision fever has well and truly hit Merseyside as all the competing countries and their delegations take up residence in the city.
The contest will get going on Tuesday, May 9 with Eurovision semi final 1, before the second semi final follows on May 11, with 10 countries qualifying from each.
When is the Eurovision 2023 final?
The final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will be on Saturday, May 13th. Like all of the semis and dress rehearsals, it will take place at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool and air live on BBC One from 8pm.
The live broadcast is expecting to last over three hours, with the results section having a habit of running over. A total of 26 countries will compete in the final, 10 qualifiers from the first semi final, 10 from the second, the Big Five - UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain and 'host' country Ukraine.
The race to win Eurovision this year looks very much like being between Sweden's Loreen and Finland's Kaarija.
* If you're having a Eurovision party at home you can download our handy sweepstake kit here
READ NEXT:
Who is hosting Eurovision 2023? BBC confirm presenter line-up for contest in Liverpool
Eurovision semi final 1 running order as Sweden and Finland compete
Eurovision semi final 2 running order and countries including Austria
