Eurovision fever is sweeping the continent as fans eagerly await the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, set to take place in May in Liverpool, UK. As the date draws nearer, the big question on many fans’ minds is – are Eurovision tickets all sold out?
The short answer is: not yet, but they are selling fast. Eurovision tickets went on sale in phases, with the initial batch released in October 2022. For the semi-finals on May 9th and 11th, the first tranche of tickets sold out within minutes. The May 13th grand final tickets took a bit longer – about an hour – before they were fully booked up. However, there are still opportunities to get tickets if you know where to look.
How Can I Get Tickets?
Here are some tips for scoring the coveted Eurovision tickets before they sell out completely:
- Join the waiting list on Eurovision’s official ticket vendor websites. As people’s plans change, tickets are returned and redistributed from the waitlist.
- Check fan forums and Eurovision national groups. Sometimes fans will sell spare tickets at face value to other enthusiasts.
- Look out for contest giveaways on radio, TV, and social media. Broadcasters will often run competitions to give away tickets.
- Bid on charity auctions. Some tickets are donated for good causes and auctioned off.
- Book a Eurovision Song Contest hospitality package. These premium-priced packages include tickets, but are quite expensive.
- Get involved as a Eurovision volunteer. Volunteers get priority access to discounted tickets in exchange for their work.
Persistence and flexibility are key – people’s plans are constantly changing in the lead-up to the contest, so new tickets become available all the time. Set Google alerts, check fan sites daily, and don’t be too choosy about which show you attend. Act fast when you spot a ticket, as they go quickly!
How Quickly Did Past Eurovision Tickets Sell Out?
To understand the ticket mania, it helps to look at how quickly Eurovision has sold out in previous years:
Year | Host City | Tickets Sold Out |
---|---|---|
2022 | Turin, Italy | 2 hours |
2021 | Rotterdam, Netherlands | 30 minutes |
2019 | Tel Aviv, Israel | Within hours |
2018 | Lisbon, Portugal | 7 weeks |
As you can see, Eurovision has been growing more and more popular, with tickets getting snatched up faster every year. The 2023 Liverpool contest is set to break sales records, likely selling out completely in the coming months.
Why is Demand So High in 2023?
There are a few factors driving incredible demand for 2023 Eurovision tickets:
- Unique UK location – After the UK’s Sam Ryder finished second in 2022, Eurovision is coming to the UK for the first time in 25 years. There is huge enthusiasm among British fans who can now attend without travel.
- Big stadium capacity – The Liverpool Arena and Convention Centre can hold up to 9,000 spectators, more than recent Eurovision venues.
- Post-COVID excitement – Fans are eager to reunite after two disrupted years, driving pent-up demand.
- Ukraine support – Many fans want to show solidarity with 2022 winners Ukraine, who were unable to host due to the ongoing conflict.
On top of this, Eurovision seems to grow in popularity every year, so demand almost always outpaces supply when it comes to tickets.
What Does This Mean for Fans Still Hoping to Get Tickets?
For fans who missed out on the initial ticket sale, there are still some options:
- Join waitlists immediately – this is crucial for getting any returned tickets.
- Check fan forums daily for ticket resales at face value.
- Look out for radio and TV competitions to win tickets.
- Consider splurging on expensive hospitality packages as a last resort.
- Otherwise, watch the shows from home and enjoy the spectacle on TV.
There is still a chance more tickets could become available if the venue capacity gets expanded. And the worst case scenario is enjoying Eurovision from the comfort of your living room – still a great experience!
Key Takeaways
- The initial batches of tickets for Eurovision 2023 sold out within minutes, but there are still limited options available.
- Persistence is key – join waitlists, watch fan forums, enter contests, and act fast when tickets pop up.
- High demand is driven by the UK location, post-COVID excitement, large venue capacity, and support for Ukraine.
- For those who can’t get tickets, the shows will still be broadcast on TV and YouTube to enjoy.
- With extra demand, Ticket resellers may inflate prices – so buyers should beware.
Conclusion
Scoring tickets to Eurovision 2023 will require luck, persistence, and compromise. But the payoff of attending Europe’s biggest music event in person is worth the effort for die-hard fans. The contest promises to be an unforgettable experience whether you are there in person or part of the 180+ million global TV audience. However you watch it, Eurovision will be the ultimate spectacle of music, drama, and sequins.