Eurovision Song Contest 2023 - host city announced…

[ureterr1blemuriel]

It’s Liverpool!!! So pleased for them but also feel sorry for Glasgow.

Given that 99% of accommodation is booked and the rest is thousands per night, maybe Liverpool doesn't have enough accommodation after all. Or they've underestimated how many people want to join the world's best party.

I wonder if the delegations get a heads up so they can book ahead of Joe Public? Or whether the host broadcaster block books a load of accommodation?

We were in the same hotel as the Norwegian and Irish contingents one year and were invited to join their unofficial parties. It was brilliant fun, especially the Norwegians (and saved us a fortune as they paid for all the drinks🍹 ☺).

When we went we booked (free cancellation) accommodation in all the likely cities. Then just cancelled the ones we didn't need once the city was announced. It was really the only way to get something at an affordable price. Once the city is announced the prices just leap up.

On Twitter there are already reports of people having bookings from AirB&B and Booking.com cancelled and then discovering the same place listed again but at much much higher prices.

I'm delighted it's in Liverpool as we're 40 minutes away by frequent direct train. We're hosting a Ukranian family and are hoping they'll be given tickets or at least be able to get early access and deep discounts. Of course, if hosts are included in this we wouldn't say no! Hoping to get tickets to something even if its not the televised final.

Dd goes to university near to Liverpool and is a huge Eurovision fan. She'd love tickets - it's not long after her 21st, so would make a fabulous present. But the likelihood of the final is probably very low, and very expensive. She says she'll be happy with any show just to go and hopes to be able to celebrate the live show in Liverpool somehow somewhere.

On Twitter there are already reports of people having bookings from AirB&B and Booking.com cancelled and then discovering the same place listed again but at much much higher prices

This is a big problem, but these sites shouldn't allow relisting in that scenario.

If anyone on MN lives in Liverpool & has one or two rooms they’d be willing to let for three clean, quiet respectful people (me (55) DD (28) and her Gay Bestie) I’d be ever so grateful. We’re desperate to go, huge fans, but just can’t afford the crazy prices being quoted. We’d be happy to pay up to £350/£400 max.

Anyone know if Ukrainian guests will get priority ? We live near manchester. Our guest loves Liverpool and I think would like to go but says tickets are extortionate.

People who can't get accommodation in Liverpool could look at places that are a reasonable train journey there - it's about an hour from Manchester, for just one example.

We’ve considered Manchester, but the problem is trains back late at night.

I am 20 mins outside Liverpool with a train station 10 minutes walk away. I am tempted to rent out my house or a room. Great news for Liverpool.

I've been looking for accommodation and had considered Manchester and driving or paying for a car service to get home.

How likely is that?

I HAVE to go to this Eurovision. It's top of my bucket list to go

You would think that the coach companies might want to cash on this by running late services - might be worth checking National Express/Megabus. Or if a group want to go, they could hire a minibus.

I hadn't thought about a coach. There will be about 4 of us going I hope.

Wondering whether to wait now until we have tickets in hand. Some of those bookings might be released by then.

Some will be booked for Eurovision delegations and so could change as we get nearer too

A pre-booked taxi from Liverpool to Manchester under normal circumstances is about £60 - £70. Even if that was doubled, it wouldn't be an outrageous amount divided for four people. Train there and taxi back might be an option.

I'm watching with interest about this.

I don't think that really works as a scheme though. This is a European wide competition, not a UK-Ukraine solidarity event.

And I was in Turin this year, and the beautiful thing was hearing thousands of people of all nations stand and sing for Ukraine as soon as Stefania was played. Not a song that people would have naturally sung together.

I think it would ruin the spirit of unity to make it all one sided. They got the balance just right this year.

People could also look at Southport for accomodation, it's direct on the train and probably cheaper than Manchester.

I was looking at Crewe earlier, apparently 40 minutes by train from Liverpool. Maybe another possibility for some people. Given the Liverpool accommodation is in the £1000s a taxi back to an outer area would be more affordable. Heck I could probably get a taxi back to London cheaper!.

Another thing to consider if you can get tickets to a show, is then going to an all night bar/cafe after and getting the first train home the next day.

We're discussing maybe trying for tickets for the Friday dress rehearsal. You get to see the whole show, although not live, and it's in the afternoon so could travel up/back the same day. Plus rehearsal tickets are the "easiest" to get. However, that would mean missing out on a lot of the atmosphere which is a big part of it. Still undecided.

In the mythical scenario that I actually get tickets, would it be possible to park near there? I won't be drinking, so would be happy to drive after. Guessing Manchester would be the closest place to stay and actually get a hotel.

A lot depends on how organised public transport and any kind of co-ordinated park and ride system will be I suppose. The show itself usually finishes near midnight doesn't it, and there will be no local trains after that time unless they sort something out. Don't think night bus/ coach provision is much good either and the traffic system around the waterfront is dire at the best of times. Transport is one of the reasons I'm surprised we got it!

And I was in Turin this year, and the beautiful thing was hearing thousands of people of all nations stand and sing for Ukraine as soon as Stefania was played. Not a song that people would have naturally sung together.

It was incredible wasn't it? And the Italians singing along with their song - brividi indeed.

Hearing Stefania still makes me well up!

@Fuwari the Family show is in the afternoon, the rehearsal show in the evening.

We went to a live Semi and the final rehearsal. It was really fun watching the final in a fan bar - the atmosphere in the fan bars was amazing, and it was easier to get drinks and go to the loo than the arena! I'd almost say better than seeing it live, as we'd already seen the interval acts.

Glasgow has the better facilities, however accommodation choices are limited. Edinburgh would of had to of stepped in and helped as they have done with previous events.

I’ve just read that a man who had his booking for an apartment cancelled (it was originally £200) saw it relisted for £20,000!!