London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Apr 02, 2026

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
Trump’s Strategic Pressure on UK Seen as Push for Stronger Alignment and Fairer Terms
UK Focuses on Trade Finance to Secure Critical Materials for Defence and Energy Sectors
Majority of UK Businesses Hit by Middle East Conflict While Confidence Holds Firm
UK Royal Navy Faces Renewed Scrutiny as Debate Intensifies Over Capability and Readiness
Reform UK Faces Mounting Distractions as Policy Agenda Struggles to Gain Traction
Investigation Launched Into Northern Cyprus IVF Clinics After UK Families Receive Incorrect Sperm
International Meeting Issues Unified Call to Safeguard Navigation Through Strait of Hormuz
Potential Strait of Hormuz Closure Raises Concerns Over UK Food and Medicine Supply Chains
UK Leads Coalition of Over Forty Nations Urging Iran to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
UK Secures Tariff-Free Access for Medicines in Landmark US Pharma Trade Agreement
King Charles III Invited to Address Joint Session of U.S. Congress in Rare Diplomatic Honor
Debate Grows Over Whether Expanded North Sea Drilling Can Reduce UK Energy Bills
UK Faces Heightened Risk of Jet Fuel Shortages, Airline Chief Warns
UK Ends Police Investigations into Lawful Social Media Posts After Review Finds Overreach
Abramovich Moves to Establish Charity for Frozen Chelsea Sale Proceeds Amid UK Dispute
Starmer Reaffirms NATO Commitment While Responding to Trump’s Strategic Critique
UK Aid Reductions Raise Fears of Severe Human Impact Across Parts of Africa
UK Signals Renewed Push for EU Cooperation as Iran Conflict Reshapes Security Landscape
Bank of England Signals Caution as Bailey Advises Markets Against Expecting Rate Hikes
UK to Convene Global Coalition to Restore Shipping Through Strait of Hormuz
Trump Signals Possible NATO Reassessment, Emphasizes Stronger U.S. Strategic Autonomy
Australia Joins British-Led Efforts to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Tensions
King Charles Plans US State Visit as UK Strengthens Ties with Trump Leadership
UK Regulator Launches Investigation Into Microsoft’s Business Software Practices
Kanye West Set for High-Profile Return to UK Stage at Wireless Festival
Trump Presses Europe to Strengthen Commitment as Iran Conflict Escalates
UK to Deploy Additional Troops to Middle East Amid Rising Regional Tensions
UK Authorities Face Claims of Heavy-Handed Measures in Monitoring Released Pro-Palestine Activists
Trump Calls on UK to Secure Its Own Energy as Iran Conflict Intensifies
Nigel Farage Declines Invitation to UK Conservative Conference Led by Liz Truss
Trump Warns Allies to Take Responsibility as Rift Deepens with UK and France Over Iran Conflict
How Britain’s Prime Minister Controls U.S. Bomber Access in Escalating Iran Conflict
Trump Urges Allies to Secure Their Own Oil Supplies as Hormuz Crisis Disrupts Global Energy
Russia Expels British Diplomat as UK Pushes Back Against Pressure
White House App Faces Scrutiny After Claims of Continuous User Location Tracking
BBC Faces Scrutiny Over Allegations of Paid Content Linked to Saudi Arabia
UK-France Coastal Patrol Agreement Nears Breakdown Amid Migration Pressures
UK Police Detain Pro-Palestine Activist Again Weeks After Bail Release
FTSE 100 Advances as Energy and Mining Shares Gain Amid Middle East Tensions
Eli Lilly Seeks UK Pricing Deal to Unlock Renewed Pharmaceutical Investment
Three Arrested in UK After Massive Cocaine Haul Discovered Hidden in Banana Shipment
UK Fuel Prices Poised for Further Surge Amid Global Energy Pressures
Apple Subsidiary Penalized by UK Authorities for Breach of Moscow Sanctions
Western Allies Intensify Coordinated Sanctions Strategy Against Russia
UK Lawmakers Face Criticism Over Renewed Push for Social Media Restrictions
Starmer Signals UK Crackdown on Addictive Social Media Features
Rising Costs Push One in Five UK Hospitality Businesses to the Brink of Closure
Man Arrested on Suspicion of Attempted Murder After Car Strikes Pedestrians in UK, Injuring Seven
Escalating Conflict Involving Iran Tightens Fiscal Pressures and Highlights UK Economic Vulnerabilities
UK Moves to Confront Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Operating in Its Waters
×