Image source, Reuters

Whether it’s Liverpool or Glasgow, the winning location will attract thousands of visitors and the attention of around 160 million TV viewers around the world.

Eurovision organisers say a host venue needs to:

• Accommodate about 10,000 spectators
• Be within easy reach of an international airport
• Have enough hotel accommodation for at least 2,000 delegates, journalists and the all-important Eurovision fans

The venue will be needed for preparations for six to eight weeks ahead of the song contest, meaning the host city may need to move concerts or events that have already been scheduled.

Elton John, André Rieu and Magic Mike all have shows booked in Liverpool and Glasgow during that period.

Colin Paterson
Entertainment Correspondent, reporting from Glasgow

Is it going to Liverpool or Glasgow? And how did this come about?

Sam Ryder came second in Eurovision this year and the UK was given the post when it was decided it couldn't be safely done in Ukraine. The UK will now be doing it on behalf of Ukraine.

Twenty cities from around the UK threw their hats into the ring - that was reduced to seven, then two.

Birmingham said it didn't make the cut because its arena roof isn't tall enough. Manchester couldn't provide enough dressing rooms that are 45 seconds from the stage.

Now the decision will be announced tonight on The One Show.

Glasgow is a city with Eurovision pedigree.

Let’s go back to 1969 - Lulu won the contest with Boom Bang-a-Bang. She grew up in the east end here.

I spoke to her this week and I asked her what it would mean to her to have Eurovision in her hometown. She was so excited, speaking about Glasgow's musical heritage.

I also think she wouldn’t mind being involved.

Glasgow and Liverpool will find out later today which of the two cities has been chosen to host the Eurovision Song Contest next May – and both cities are known for their rich musical history.

Glasgow was named a Unesco City of Music in 2008 – an award which acknowledges the city's musical past and its role in music-making.

It is home to the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Scottish Opera and the BBC's Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the city hosts an average 130 music events each week.

Some famous acts from Glasgow include Lewis Capaldi, Franz Ferdinand, Travis, Mogwai, Gerry Cinnamon, Primal Scream and Simple Minds.

Glasgow's Lulu won the 1969 Eurovision contest with Boom Bang-a-Bang. Fellow Glaswegian Scott Fitzgerald came second in 1988 when he was beaten to the top spot by none other than Celine Dion.

Liverpool was the second UK city to receive the City of Music honour from Unesco in 2015.

As the home of The Beatles, its musical history attracts thousands of international visitors every year.

Other well known acts to come out of Liverpool include the Wombats, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Elvis Costello, Frankie goes to Hollywood and The La’s. It is also home to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and its past major events have included the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2008.

Sonia, who was born near Liverpool, came second in Eurovision back in 1993 with Better the Devil You Know. The city has also been represented by Jemini, who sadly got nul points in 2003.

Daniel Rosney
Entertainment reporter

I should get things out of the way early and admit to being a massive Eurovision fan, and covering the song contest each year for BBC News is a week like no other.

Yes, it’s a full week.

You’re forgiven if you thought it was just one Saturday night TV show with Graham Norton’s commentary (millions of others will also think the same) but there are two semi-finals as well.

The UK automatically gets a place in the final so there are, believe it or not, countries who have done a lot worse in the past 10 years or more.

As we wait to find out if it’s Glasgow or Liverpool, you might already be in WhatsApp group chats (or is that just me?) discussing if getting tickets will be harder than Glastonbury. It will be for the final BUT as I said it’s more than just one show.

In total there will be nine ticketed shows, external - accounting for all the rehearsals too.

Eurovision 2023 is due to be held in May next year.

The contest will be in the UK after this year’s winner, Ukraine, was unable to take up hosting duties because of the war with Russia.

A winning country normally hosts the following year's contest, but the UK finished second in this year’s Eurovision and was asked to step in.

Either Glasgow or Liverpool will be host the contest and the chosen city will be revealed on BBC One's The One Show from 19:00 BST today.

Image source, Getty Images

How can you get tickets?

Details about tickets, such as prices, availability and the ticket provider, won’t be available until after the city and venue are confirmed, according to the Eurovision website, external.

Image source, AFP

The UK was chosen to host the Eurovision Song Contest next year after organisers decided it could not be held in winning country Ukraine due to the ongoing war.

Oleh Psiuk, the lead singer of 2022 winners Kalush Orchestra, expressed his gratitude to the UK for holding the event "in support of our country".

The UK, which has hosted Eurovision eight times, was chosen after Sam Ryder came second in this year's contest.

The country which wins usually stages the following year's competition. But show organisers the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) opened talks with the BBC earlier this year after assessing the situation following Russia's invasion.

Psiuk said he was "very sad" that Ukraine could not host the contest but he hoped it would "celebrate our beautiful, unique culture".

"We, in turn, will make all efforts to help Ukraine win next year as well, so that Eurovision 2024 can take place in a peaceful country", he added.

Officials have called for the singing competition to reflect and celebrate Ukrainian culture.

The decision to not allow Ukraine to host the next Eurovision was met with anger by many in Ukraine, including Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko, who issued a statement "demanding to change the decision".

Boris Johnson, who was then UK PM, said Ukraine should have been given the chance to host the event.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said it understood the disappointment, but the contest's rules clearly state that the event could be moved in a situation such as an ongoing war.

• The UK has hosted Eurovision eight times, external - more than any other country
• It has previously taken over hosting duties from other countries four times
• It hosted for the Netherlands in 1960, for France in 1963, for Monaco in 1972, and Luxembourg in 1974
• The UK last hosted in 1998, from Birmingham, after Katrina and the Waves won the year before
• Harrogate, Brighton, Edinburgh and London have also been host cities
• Israel was the last country that declined to host, in 1980, having also won the year before

Image source, Ant Clausen

As the home of The Beatles, Liverpool has a rich musical history and attracts millions of visitors each year.

Past major events it’s hosted include the 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards.

Assistant Mayor and Cabinet Member for Culture and Visitor Economy, Councillor Harry Doyle, says the city would be "the perfect stage to celebrate this unique Eurovision".

The contest would take place at the 11,000-capacity dockside M&S Bank Arena, which is next to a conference centre and near the city centre's hotels and rail links.

Liverpool Mayor Joanne Anderson says: "Nowhere throws a party quite like us… the people, communities and businesses of our city are ready to put on a show - for Ukraine, the UK and for Europe."

Image source, Jeff Holmes

Glasgow was the bookies' favourite from the off, with its OVO Hydro venue having a capacity of 14,300.

And the arena has already played host to Eurovision (kind of) - its exterior doubled as the venue in Will Ferrell's 2020 movie Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.

The leader of Glasgow City Council Susan Aitken says the city has "everything it takes" to host the show.

The arena is next to exhibition centres in the city centre that could be useful for facilities like a press centre, and there are hotels and a station nearby.

It’s previously hosted BBC Sports Personality of the Year, events during the 2014 Commonwealth Games and was one of the host venues of last year’s COP26 climate summit.

Image source, Getty Images

Hello Europe! Welcome along to our coverage as we get set to find out which UK city will host next year's Eurovision Song Contest.

Twenty cities wanted to host the 2023 contest. That list was narrowed down to seven before the final two were announced last month - and today (drum roll please) we’ll find out if Glasgow or Liverpool will stage the prestigious show.

Although this year’s competition was won by Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra, organisers said - for safety reasons due to the ongoing war - the competition couldn’t be staged there.

The UK was chosen instead because its singer Sam Ryder was the runner-up in May, with his song Space Man.