Eurovision 2023: Bristol fails to make the cut as shortlist of host cities announced

Eurovision fans in Bristol have been left devastated after the city lost out on its chance to host the iconic singing competition in 2023.

Cities across the UK have been bidding to host Eurovision after it was announced that Ukraine would be unable to due to the ongoing conflict with Russia.

Among those knocked out were Bristol, Edinburgh, Belfast and London.

The cities that made the shostlist were Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield.

It was hoped that if Bristol was chosen the contest could be held at the YTL Arena in Filton, but the fact that the venue is still under construction probably didn’t help the city’s chances.

Fans of the contest have flocked to social media after the shortlist was announced this morning (Friday, August 12) to vent their disappointment,

Rosemary Dun said: “What? Yet again, Bristol overlooked. Cities short-listed for the Eurovision 2023 are all up North (apart from Birmingham).

“Yet again, the South West has been left out. Bristol too often loses out to either Cardiff or London. But Bristol is the home of much music and culture.”

Matt Crocker said: “I wish Bristol‘s bid for Eurovision had been a bit more serious; frankly it was a bit embarrassing and only really served to highlight successive failures to secure a venue that can hold 10k+ (that also isn’t out in the boonies, 15 miles from the airport).”

Ben Royston said: “Whichever city goes on to host Ukraine’s #eurovision, I know that they will be given the greatest welcome and shown how much the UK stands with them.

“Even if we’re not hosting the show this time, #Bristol will always stand by our Ukrainian friends and residents.”

Ryan Corbin said: “London and Bristol were the only southern cities bidding after Brighton and Cardiff withdrew, and Bristol was (unfortunately) never gonna make it.”

Ukraine won this year’s competition, with Kalush Orchestra taking the top spot with their song Stephania.

The UK came in at second place thanks to Sam Ryder’s smash hit Spaceman.