Eurovision 2023 hosting: Leeds is vying to host next year's Eurovision
-
Leeds is one of the UK's cities to express interest in hosting the 67th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Following EBU's decision according to which Ukraine will not host next year's contest and the beginning of discussions with UK's BBC, Leeds joins the list of countries vying to host the next edition of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Namely, Councillor James Lewis, leading Leeds' City Council and Councillor Jonathan Pryor, the council's finance and culture executive have shared a joint statement saying the following:
“It goes without saying that Leeds will be bidding to host Eurovision in 2023. Together with ASM Global, the operators of the First Direct Arena in Leeds, we have already been in touch with both the Government and the BBC to discuss our plans. Leeds has already proved that it has the capability and capacity to host major international events and ASM Global successfully hosted Eurovision in the Avicii Arena, Stockholm Sweden in 2016. Given that we will be mid-way through the Leeds 2023 year of culture, it could not come at a better time.
“We are extremely disappointed that Ukraine will be unable to host in 2023, but it would be an honour to host on behalf of them, especially given that West Yorkshire is home to a large number of Ukrainians. If we are successful with our bid, we will be looking to get the local Ukrainian community involved with our plans as much as possible.”
Leeds as potential Eurovision 2023 host city
Image: holmesmiller.com
Leeds is a city in the county of West Yorkshire, England. The city lies in the valley of the River Aire in the eastern foothills of the Pennines. The city is the largest in the county with a population of 516,298, while the larger City of Leeds metropolitan borough had a population of 812,000 (2021 estimate).
Potential venue: Leed is vying to host the next Eurovision at First Direct Arena. The First Direct Arena (also known as the Leeds Arena) is an entertainment-focused arena located in the Arena Quarter of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It is the first in the United Kingdom to have a fan-shaped orientation.
The arena officially opened on 4 September 2013, with Sir Elton John, playing to an audience of 12,000. Bruce Springsteen had, however, held the first concert on 24 July 2013, with an audience of 13,000. The arena's opening season in 2013 later included acts including Kaiser Chiefs, Rod Stewart, Status Quo and Depeche Mode. The building has been nominated as one of England's greatest landmarks,and won best new venue in the world in 2014
Transportation: Leeds and the rest of the West Yorkshire Built-up Area has less extensive public transport coverage than any other UK city region of comparable size, and it is the most populated area in Europe without any form of light rail or underground system.
Leeds Bradford International Airport is located in Yeadon, about 8 miles (13 km) to the north-west of the city centre, and has direct flights from 8 UK destinations and 70 international destinations. The airport is the tenth busiest airport outside London, with scheduled services running to London Heathrow, Amsterdam, Dublin and Barcelona. There is also a direct rail service from Leeds to Manchester Airport.
Accommodation: Tourism is important to the Leeds economy, in 2009 Leeds was the eighth-most visited city in England by UK visitors. Thus, the city provides a wide number of hotels and apartments in order to welcome the rising numbers of visitors each year.
The extensive retail area of Leeds is identified as the principal regional shopping centre for the whole of the Yorkshire and the Humber region with numerous indoor markets reay to welcome those who love shopping. The city displays a variety of natural and built landmarks for sightseeing and lots of restaurants and bars.
News source: Leeds City Council / Eurovoix
Cover photo: myeventtickets.com
AUTHORS
-
Angelos D.
Home 
About 
Contact 
Box 
Latest News 
Eurovision 2021 
Top Rated 
