Final two contenders for Eurovision 2023 are Glasgow and Liverpool

Eurovision has revealed that the final two cities in the running to host the coveted song contest next year are Glasgow and Liverpool.

The UK was selected to host the contest on behalf of Ukraine, who won the competition last year. Birmingham, Leeds, Newcastle, Sheffield and Manchester were eliminated to leave the final two as Glasgow and Liverpool.

Kalush Orchestra won Eurovision for Ukraine in Italy last year. Cities in the running vowed to honour Ukrainian culture, music and communities to reflect their triumph at last year's competition. Although the country cannot host due to the Russian invasion, they will automatically qualify for next year's grand final.

"The Eurovision Song Contest is a very complex event and Liverpool and Glasgow have the strongest overall offer; we will continue our discussions with them to determine the eventual host city," said Phill Harrold, the chairman of BCC's host city selection committee.

"We are determined to make the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest one that both reflects the winning position of Ukraine and is also an event that all of the UK can participate in," Harrold continued.

Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson shared her excitement for the news, tweeting "Nowhere throws a party quite like us. The people, communities & businesses of our city are ready to put on quite a show- for Ukraine, the UK & for Europe."

Absolutely delighted #Liverpool has made the final two for the #Eurovision2023 shortlist.

Nowhere throws a party quite like us. The people, communities & businesses of our city are ready to put on a show - for Ukraine, the UK & for Europe.

Eurovision in Liverpool. Imagine 💛💙 pic.twitter.com/4FW54rYPZ7

— Joanne Anderson (@MayorLpool) September 27, 2022

Similarly, the leader of Glasgow City Council Susan Aitken tweeted, "We know we've got everything it takes to deliver a brilliant #Eurovision experience for the huge global community of fans and, most importantly, with Ukraine at its heart 🇺🇦"

Very pleased Glasgow has made it to this final stage. We know we’ve got everything it takes to deliver a brilliant #Eurovision experience for the huge global community of fans and, most importantly, with Ukraine at its heart 🇺🇦 https://t.co/iFiTrGOYUm

— Susan Aitken (@SusaninLangside) September 27, 2022

The final decision between the two cities will be announced "within weeks", the BBC have said.

Belfast was left disappointed after being left out of the shortlist of UK host cities. According to BBC, 20 cities expressed interest in hosting.

Eurovision 2023 will be the ninth time the contest has been held in the UK, more than any other country. Ireland sits below them with seven years of hosting.