Clearly not been to the North of late then I see...
Seriously, there are numerous European cities which have hosted Eurovision which wouldn't maybe you wouldn't count as 'world cities'... I mean Rotterdam doesnt have a stock exchange. Neither does Turin. Malmo? Its been hosted in Brighton and Harrogate too.
Indeed:
Characteristics
Although criteria are variable and fluid, typical characteristics of world cities include:[9]
The most prominent criterion has been providing a variety of international financial services,[10] notably in finance, insurance, real estate, banking, accountancy, and marketing; and their amalgamation of financial headquarters, a stock exchange, and other major financial institutions.
Headquarters of numerous multinational corporations.
Domination of the trade and economy of a large surrounding area
Major manufacturing centres with port and container facilities
Considerable decision-making power on a daily basis and at a global level
Centres of new ideas and innovation in business, economics, and culture.
Centres of digital and other media and communications for global networks
Dominance of the national region with great international significance
High percentage of residents employed in the services sector and information sector
High-quality educational institutions, including renowned universities and research facilities; and attracting international student attendance[11]
Multi-functional infrastructure offering some of the best legal, medical, and entertainment facilities in the country
High diversity in language, culture, religion, and ideologies
Manchester and Leeds are definitely up there every bit as much as Malmo and Rotterdam. The tech boom in Manchester is huge. Youve got the media shift out of London that now makes them significantly more influential on a global level. There masses of financial and legal services in both, again a lot down to a move out of London for costs. Manchester has a huge port facility (yes really. That thing called the ship canal shifts a crap load of goods up it even in 2022). Birmingham has quite a lot going for it these days too, strangely enough. Commonwealth Games this year anyone? (oh yeah what year did Manchester do that?) Is football not quite an important industry?
If you want to go by the strictest definition of what a global city is, you probably are only going to be including London, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin and maybe Madrid. That means most of the rest of the Eurovision countries shouldn't even bother. Including Italy who is one of the big 5!
There is nothing stopping a city outside the capital hosting Eurovision. A number of British cities have the ability and the infrastructure to do it. They aren't some sort of backwater. Many are bigger and more advanced than cities who have hosted it elsewhere in Europe in the last 20 years.
This utterly ignorant backward attitude to anywhere outside London needs slapping down wherever its seen. Its not ok.