There are so many places to watch this year’s Eurovision in Manchester, whether it be treating yourself to the big screen experience at Everyman Cinema or getting your party on at GRUB, but now there’s a very public addition as Piccadilly Gardens has been announced as a screening location for the semi-finals and final of Eurovision.
The screenings will take place on the 9th, 11th and 13th of May, and access to each event will be free with no tickets required, but attendance will operate on a first come, first served basis – around 1000 people will be able to enjoy each of the semi-finals on 9th and 11th, whilst capacity will be expanded for the Grand Final on Saturday, 13th May to allow up to 5000 people to celebrate the event in Piccadilly Gardens.
There will also be a number of food and drink stalls operating throughout each night, no doubt roping in local businesses and bringing traffic to the surrounding area of Piccadilly and the Northern Quarter.
The live events are part of an initiative from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which is providing over £1 million in funding for screens in more than 30 cities for people to come together to watch the Eurovision Song Contest, as well as the coronation of King Charles III.
Eurovision Minister, Stuart Andrew, said: “Eurovision is a fantastic opportunity for us to come together through music and our big screens will create a party atmosphere where no one will sing alone.
“This competition is not just about Liverpool but making sure we celebrate what unites us and showcasing our steadfast support for Ukraine.
“We are bringing the Eurovision Song Contest to people’s doorsteps so we can all take part in this historic moment and enjoy the magic of Eurovision as one.”
The Eurovision semi-finals will be available to watch in Piccadilly Gardens at 8pm on the 9th and 11th of May, with the Grand Final taking place at 8pm on the 13th of May.