London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Dec 24, 2025

Eurovision 2023: Final batch of ticket sell in an hour

Eurovision 2023: Final batch of ticket sell in an hour

The majority of a final batch of tickets for next month's Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool have sold out, the BBC has confirmed.

A "limited number" of tickets for three live shows and six production previews went on sale at 12:00 BST.

Just over an hour later, the BBC said only a small number remained available.

These are mostly single seats and hospitality packages for previews and rehearsals. Both of the semi-finals and the grand final are now sold out.

In March the initial batch of tickets was snapped up in 90 minutes, leaving thousands of fans disappointed.

On Monday, many waited again in an online queue, hoping to get their hands on the last remaining tickets.

In a post on Twitter at 13:25 BST, BBC Eurovision said: "The majority of Eurovision 2023 tickets that went on sale today have now been sold.

"A small number of tickets are still available to purchase for some shows.

"For those of you with tickets, we'll see you in Liverpool. And to everyone else, we'll see you on BBC One!"

A mock-up of how Liverpool's M&S Bank Arena is expected to look hosting the Eurovision Song Contest


It will be the first time the has UK hosted the annual competition in 25 years.

About 6,000 fans will be inside the arena for each of the shows. Prices ranged from £90 to £290 for the live semi-finals and from £160 to £380 for the live grand final.

Preview shows ranged from £30 to £280.

A preview show is a full run-through of the TV broadcast that doubles up as a production rehearsal, with all the acts performing live in the arena.

There are six preview shows and three live shows.


How do the semi-finals work?


All competing broadcasters pay a fee to take part in Eurovision (see below for more details); but with only 26 slots available in the grand final, there has to be a knock-out stage. That takes the form of two-semi finals, which this year take place on Tuesday 9 and Thursday 11 May.

Ten songs from each of the two qualifying rounds go through to the final.

A handful of countries, known as the big five (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK), automatically get a place in the final because they contribute more money to the staging of the contest.

Last year's winner also qualifies without participating in the semi-finals. This year, that honour goes to Ukraine.


What if I didn't get a ticket?


The city of Liverpool has announced multiple events around this year's Eurovision Song Contest.

There will be a two-week festival taking place, including a submarine parade and a rave which will take place simultaneously in Kyiv.

Liverpool's Pier Head will host the official Eurovision village


Close to the M&S Bank Arena will be the Eurovision village, the official fan zone of the contest for thousands of people.

During the televised live shows, fans will be able to watch both semi-finals and the final (which is ticketed) on big screens there.

It is also where some of the acts will perform on stage across the week.

There will also be extensive coverage across the BBC.


Who pays for Eurovision?


The UK government has put forward £10m towards the cost of hosting the song contest for things like security and visa arrangements.

It says the vast majority will be spent on "showcasing Ukrainian culture" but would not give further details. In comparison, the Italian government did not pay anything towards the event last year.

The King and Queen Consort will unveil the Eurovision stage for the first time on Wednesday 26 April


Local authorities in Liverpool have also pledged £4m for the event, which is £6m less than officials put forward in Turin in 2022.

The bulk of the cost will fall to the BBC which is expected to put forward between £8m and £17m as host broadcaster.

The 37 broadcasters taking part all pay a fee to enter, which in recent years has totalled a combined sum of about £5m. The BBC does not make its contribution public.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Caviar and Foie Gras? China Is Becoming a Luxury Food Powerhouse
Hong Kong Climbs to Second Globally in 2025 Tourism Rankings Behind Bangkok
From Sunniest Year on Record to Terror Plots and Sports Triumphs: The UK’s Defining Stories of 2025
Greta Thunberg Released on Bail After Arrest at London Pro-Palestinian Demonstration
Banksy Unveils New Winter Mural in London Amid Festive Season Excitement
UK Households Face Rising Financial Strain as Tax Increases Bite and Growth Loses Momentum
UK Government Approves Universal Studios Theme Park in Bedford Poised to Rival Disneyland Paris
UK Gambling Shares Slide as Traders Respond to Steep Tax Rises and Sector Uncertainty
Starmer and Trump Coordinate on Ukraine Peace Efforts in Latest Diplomatic Call
The Pilot Barricaded Himself in the Cockpit and Refused to Take Off: "We Are Not Leaving Until I Receive My Salary"
UK Fashion Label LK Bennett Pursues Accelerated Sale Amid Financial Struggles
U.S. Government Warns UK Over Free Speech in Pro-Life Campaigner Prosecution
Newly Released Files Shed Light on Jeffrey Epstein’s Extensive Links to the United Kingdom
Prince William and Prince George Volunteer Together at UK Homelessness Charity
UK Police Arrest Protesters Chanting ‘Globalise the Intifada’ as Authorities Recalibrate Free Speech Enforcement
Scambodia: The World Owes Thailand’s Military a Profound Debt of Gratitude
Women in Partial Nudity — and Bill Clinton in a Dress and Heels: The Images Revealed in the “Epstein Files”
US Envoy Witkoff to Convene Security Advisers from Ukraine, UK, France and Germany in Miami as Peace Efforts Intensify
UK Retailers Report Sharp Pre-Christmas Sales Decline and Weak Outlook, CBI Survey Shows
UK Government Rejects Use of Frozen Russian Assets to Fund Aid for Ukraine
UK Financial Conduct Authority Opens Formal Investigation into WH Smith After Accounting Errors
UK Issues Final Ultimatum to Roman Abramovich Over £2.5bn Chelsea Sale Funds for Ukraine
Rare Pink Fog Sweeps Across Parts of the UK as Met Office Warns of Poor Visibility
UK Police Pledge ‘More Assertive’ Enforcement to Tackle Antisemitism at Protests
UK Police Warn They Will Arrest Protesters Chanting ‘Globalise the Intifada’
Trump Files $10 Billion Defamation Lawsuit Against BBC as Broadcaster Pledges Legal Defence
UK Says U.S. Tech Deal Talks Still Active Despite Washington’s Suspension of Prosperity Pact
UK Mortgage Rules to Give Greater Flexibility to Borrowers With Irregular Incomes
UK Treasury Moves to Position Britain as Leading Global Hub for Crypto Firms
U.S. Freezes £31 Billion Tech Prosperity Deal With Britain Amid Trade Dispute
Prince Harry and Meghan’s Potential UK Return Gains New Momentum Amid Security Review and Royal Dialogue
Zelensky Opens High-Stakes Peace Talks in Berlin with Trump Envoy and European Leaders
Historical Reflections on Press Freedom Emerge Amid Debate Over Trump’s Media Policies
UK Boosts Protection for Jewish Communities After Sydney Hanukkah Attack
UK Government Declines to Comment After ICC Prosecutor Alleges Britain Threatened to Defund Court Over Israel Arrest Warrant
Apple Shutters All Retail Stores in the United Kingdom Under New National COVID-19 Lockdown
US–UK Technology Partnership Strains as Key Trade Disagreements Emerge
UK Police Confirm No Further Action Over Allegation That Andrew Asked Bodyguard to Investigate Virginia Giuffre
Giuffre Family Expresses Deep Disappointment as UK Police Decline New Inquiry Into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Claims
Transatlantic Trade Ambitions Hit a Snag as UK–US Deal Faces Emerging Challenges
Ex-ICC Prosecutor Alleges UK Threatened to Withdraw Funding Over Netanyahu Arrest Warrant Bid
UK Disciplinary Tribunal Clears Carter-Ruck Lawyer of Misconduct in OneCoin Case
‘Pink Ladies’ Emerge as Prominent Face of UK Anti-Immigration Protests
Nigel Farage Says Reform UK Has Become Britain’s Largest Party as Labour Membership Falls Sharply
Google DeepMind and UK Government Launch First Automated AI Lab to Accelerate Scientific Discovery
UK Economy Falters Ahead of Budget as Growth Contracts and Confidence Wanes
Australia Approves Increased Foreign Stake in Strategic Defence Shipbuilder
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson proclaims, “For Ukraine, surrendering their land would be a nightmare.”
Microsoft Challenges £2.1 Billion UK Cloud Licensing Lawsuit at Competition Tribunal
Fake Doctor in Uttar Pradesh Accused of Killing Woman After Performing YouTube-Based Surgery
×