Eurovision: The shortlisted cities for the Eurovision Song Contest have been announced!

The UK's Sam Ryder was a runner up in the 2022 Eurovision song contest

The shortlist of UK cities which could host Eurovision 2023 has been announced!

20 cities around the UK expressed an interest in hosting the event, including London and Belfast.

However, it's now down to the final seven.

Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield are all in with a chance of hosting the popular song contest next year.

The BBC said the seven-strong shortlist was based on the cities' ability to show they have "the capacity, capability and experience to host an event of this scale and complexity".

A statement added that the process was "heavily weighted towards demonstrating past experience in hosting major international events, as well as being able to demonstrate their credentials in hosting a celebration of contemporary music".

They'll now have to wait until autumn, when the chosen city will finally be announced.

Why is Eurovision 2023 being held in the UK?

Normally, the country that the winning act is from gets to host the next competition, but this year the Ukrainian band Kalush Orchestra won.

Following Russia's invasion and the ongoing war in the country, Ukraine is not able to host, so as UK entry Sam Ryder was runner-up, the UK has stepped in to host.

A choir of Ukrainians performers on Newcastle quayside in support of the city's bid to host Eurovision 2023

That cities that applied to host the event all have to meet certain criteria.

They have to be within easy reach of an international airport and have enough hotel accommodation for the people taking part, journalists and people attending.

There also has to be a venue which can accommodate at least 10,000 spectators and this would be needed for preparations for six to eight weeks ahead of the song contest, meaning most potential locations would need to move concerts and events that are already in their schedules.

Five of the shortlisted cities are in the north of England, with Glasgow representing Scotland and none further south than Birmingham.

No Welsh cities applied to hold the event, and Belfast was the only potential contender from Northern Ireland.

The UK's Sam Ryder pictured in a pink Kalush Orchestra hat, in a nod to this year's Ukrainian winners

The BBC has said the seven cities still in the running will be scored on a specific set of criteria.

This includes their commitment to hosting the event, including financial contributions, a strong cultural offering both on an off screen as well, as the showcasing of Ukrainian culture and music, and an alignment with the BBC's aim to provide value to all audiences and support for the creative economy in the UK.

The winning city will be chosen in a two-stage process by the BBC and the event's organisers.

Which city do you think should host Eurovision 2023 and why? Let us know in the comments!