Eurovision Song Contest 2023: 'Underdog' Darlington offers to host

Image source, EPA

Darlington joined UK cities to host the next you ar's Eurovision Song Contest.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said the town's proximity to Tees Valley International Airport Teesside was "one of the main factors" for him to qualify.

He said the area "can be the underdogs that people underestimate frequently".

But "we've consistently proven them wrong" by securing events such as BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend and the Rugby World Cup , he added.

Criteria required to host Eurovision include being near an international airport and having a hall that seats around 10 000 spectators.

Sufficient hotel accommodation for at least 2,000 delegates, journalists and spectators is also necessary.

Image source, Tees Valley Combined Authority

The winning country normally hosts the following year - but organizers judged hosting the event in Ukraine would be dangerous as long as the war rages would continue.

The UK was chosen after Sam Ryder finished second in this year's contest.