Eurovision fans are rushing to get their hands on coveted tickets for this year’s song contest, which went on sale on Tuesday at 12:00 GMT.
There is a high demand for tickets to the contest’s nine public shows in Liverpool in May.
Tickets for the grand final sold out in 36 minutes, but there are also two live semi-finals and six dress rehearsals.
Prices for the live semi-finals on May 9 and 11, and the final on May 13, range from £90 to £290.
Many people reported long lines on the Ticketmaster website.
In 50 seconds, here’s a rundown of the 2023 competition.
Regardless of the country from which tickets are purchased, a Ticketmaster UK account must be created. They can only be purchased through the Ticketmaster UK website.
Users are only able to purchase tickets for one show at a time.
How much do Eurovision tickets cost?
This is an artist’s interpretation of how the Eurovision stage will look this year.
Caption for an image,
The cost of a mock-up of Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena hosting the Eurovision Song Contest ranges from £30 to £280. A preview show is a complete re-enactment of the TV broadcast that also serves as a production rehearsal in which the acts perform live in the arena.
Each live televised show has two previews, one the night before and one on the afternoon of the broadcast.
The live semi-finals tickets range from £90 to £290, and the live grand final tickets range from £160 to £380.
More information on Eurovision 2023 tickets
Everything you need to know about this year’s Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovisioncast is available on BBC Sounds.
Last month, it was announced that 3,000 tickets would be reserved through a ticket ballot for Ukrainians living in the UK on three visa programmes – Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Extension Scheme, and Ukraine Families Scheme.
The government will subsidise the cost, but there will be a £20 charge per sale.
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‘Many fans will inevitably be disappointed,’ says the author.
Daniel Rosney, Eurovision reporter, provides an analysis box.
Although there will be 160 million people watching the song contest at home, seats in the M&S Bank Arena are much more limited.
Approximately 6,000 people will attend each show, which is fewer than most people would expect for the world’s largest entertainment event.
Eurovision organisers stated last year that its venue must normally accommodate 10,000 spectators, which Liverpool’s arena does. However, due to the stage set-up and other production elements, this will be reduced.
Many fans will be disappointed if they are unable to obtain tickets because it is not just those in the UK who struggle with Ticketmaster’s website – people travel from all over the world for Eurovision each year.
Last year’s event in Turin had 7,500 people for each show, and it felt quite intimate inside at times.
Those who do have tickets will be able to see everything that is going on, from camera operators running around to artists scoring points (or not).
The focus will now shift to what comes next for those who were unsuccessful, as well as who the UK act is.
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What happens if I don’t get a ticket?
The semi-finals and final will be broadcast live on BBC TV and radio, with extensive online coverage.
Aside from the arena, there will be a lot going on in Liverpool. Beginning on May 1, a two-week cultural festival will take place, featuring a submarine street parade, a rave in Kyiv, and an outdoor operatic Eurovision concert.
The official Eurovision village will be located on Liverpool’s Pier Head.
The Eurovision village, the official fan zone, will be located near the arena and will accommodate 25,000 people.
Fans will be able to watch the televised live shows on big screens there, and some of the acts will perform on stage throughout the week.
There will also be more big screens and viewing parties at various locations throughout the city.
Who could represent the United Kingdom?
Last year, Sam Ryder finished second for the United Kingdom in Eurovision.
Next week, all 37 competing broadcasters must confirm the song and artists they will send to Eurovision.
Rina Sawayama, Birdy, and Mimi Webb are among the names suggested for the United Kingdom. All three are previous Brit Award nominees, demonstrating that it is taken seriously. There is no televised national selection show this year, as there has been in previous years.
Whoever is chosen will hope to replicate the success of Sam Ryder, who finished second in 2022, the UK’s best Eurovision result in 25 years.
The majority of the other 36 countries have now revealed their artists and songs.
