Eurovision fans looking to travel to Liverpool to watch next year's contest are being warned of astronomical accommodation prices in the city.
In June, Ukraine said "with deep regret" that it was not possible to guarantee the security needed to host the contest in the country following Kalush Orchestra's victory at Eurovision 2022 in Turin, Italy
After finishing second in this year's competition, the United Kingdom took over the hosting of the next contest and in August the list of seven bidding cities was announced, before it was then confirmed that either Glasgow or Liverpool were to host the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023 on behalf of Ukraine.
On Friday 7 October it was announced that the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Liverpool.
Over the weekend the cost of accommodation in Liverpool for the three-day Eurovision final (May 13, 2023) skyrocketed, with some reports suggesting charges were as high as £20,000 (€22,700) per night.
As reported by The Guardian newspaper, 99% of the city's hotels are fully booked for the night of the event according to Booking.com, while a resident of the city is offering his 10-room house through the platform for £17,600 (€20,000) for on the night of the final.
Rooms in Liverpool which are usually available for less than £35 (€40) per night are now costing almost £3,000 (€3,400) for the 2023 Eurovision weekend.
Following reports of huge price hikes, Eurovision 2023 organizers have urged fans of the song contest not to pay more than the limit for their stay in Liverpool and hinted that additional provisions will be considered, possibly including the accommodation on "cruise ships or campsites".
Marketing Liverpool's Chris Brown told BBC News: "We would certainly tell anyone who received these prices not to book."
As for people overcharging, he added: "We will address those who we believe are behaving in a way that we would say is not in keeping with the spirit or ethos of why Liverpool took part in Eurovision."
A report in the Liverpool Echo newspaper has revealed that the city council is drawing up plans for a full cultural program celebrating British music, Eurovision and Ukrainian culture.
Kalush Orchestra, who won the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest, commented on the news that Liverpool will host the event next year, saying: "We are very pleased that next year's Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Liverpool."
“Although we haven't had the privilege of visiting yet, the city's musical heritage is known around the world. The fact that we will be performing in the same place where The Beatles started will be a moment we will never forget!” they added.
The 67th Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will be held at Liverpool's M&S Bank Arena on 9 and 11 May (semi-finals) and 13 May (final).