BBC announces host city shortlist for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest
In total, 20 nations applied across all four nations of the UK. The applicants were asked to demonstrate how they would reflect Ukrainian culture to mark their win in 2022.
The seven cities were chosen based on criteria that determined which had the capacity, capability and experience to host an event of this scale and complexity.
The second and final stage of the selection process will see the cities asked to elaborate on their bids, and the Host City will be decided by the BBC in partnership with EBU (the Ukrainian Broadcasting Union) in autumn 2022.