Liverpool has been chosen to host for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest.
Next year’s prestigious event is set to be held in the UK due to current winners Ukraine having to forfeit due to ongoing military attacks by Russia.
Up to 20 cities battled to be chosen as Eurovision’s next destination, with Liverpool and Glasgow eventually making it into the running as the final two.
But the BBC officially announced on Friday that Liverpool will host both semi-finals and the Grand Final between May 9 and May 13 at the city’s ACC Arena.
Mayor Joanne Anderson said: “I’m over the moon that Eurovision is coming to Liverpool!
“We knew that we faced strong competition from Glasgow, but we also knew that we had a great bid underpinned by the expertise of our award-winning Culture Liverpool team and supported by all our brilliant partners.
“This is a massive event and the eyes of the world will be on us in May, especially those of our friends in Ukraine.
“Now begins months of work to put on the best party ever. Ukraine – you have my promise we will do you proud.”