Eurovision 2023 to Rock Liverpool: Allocation Draw & Handover Set to Launch the Biggest Music Event of the Year

It’s time to get ready for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023! On January 31, the BBC will be hosting the Handover and Allocation Draw for the upcoming contest on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, presented by Rylan and AJ Odudu.

The event will be taking place in the host city of Liverpool and will determine which countries will be competing in the semi-finals (May 9 and 11) and which semi-final the Big 5 (Spain, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy) and 2022 winners Ukraine will be voting in. A total of 37 countries will be taking part.

In addition to the draw, the Mayor of 2022 Host City Turin, Stefano Lo Russo, will be handing over the official keys of the Eurovision Song Contest, known as the Insignia, to the Mayor of Liverpool, Joanne Anderson. The unique look and slogan of the 2023 Contest will also be unveiled.

To make the night even more special, young people from a local Liverpool school and members of the Ukrainian community who have settled in Liverpool since the outbreak of the conflict will be assisting Rylan and AJ in the draw. Live text commentary will also be available on the BBC News website.

Rylan expressed his excitement at being part of the UK delegation at Eurovision since 2018 and presenting the Handover and Allocation Draw, saying: “It’s going to be an amazing year for Eurovision. I genuinely can’t wait.”

AJ Odudu added: “New and existing fans are in for an event like no other come May with spectacular live shows on the BBC and a city takeover in Liverpool, all with British creativity and Ukrainian culture at its core. I can’t wait to kick things off with the draw later this month.”

The BBC will also be launching the Eurovision podcast, Eurovisioncast, made by the team behind the hit podcasts Newscast and Ukrainecast. It will be hosted by Eurovision winner Måns Zelmerlöw, BBC Breakfast’s Nina Warhurst, BBC News’ Eurovision Reporter Daniel Rosney, and Radio Merseyside presenter Ngunan Adamu. The weekly podcast will feature former contestants, those taking part in the 2023 Contest, celebrity fans, and all the inside gossip.

It’s going to be an incredible event, so make sure to tune in to BBC Two and BBC iPlayer on January 31 at 7pm to watch the Handover and Allocation Draw for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023!