1 Year On: Liverpool's Eurovision Legacy Delivers £11.1m Boost and Reinforces City Region's Global Standing

A new study has revealed how the Liverpool City Region is continuing to reap the rewards of hosting Eurovision 2023, with repeat visitors bringing an additional £11.1m to the local economy over the past year alone.

This is in addition to the £54.8m generated during the event itself, which saw Liverpool shine under the global spotlight as 162 million viewers worldwide tuned in. But the true impact of Eurovision goes beyond just numbers; it has helped power Liverpool City Region's record-breaking visitor economy, which is now worth an estimated £6.25bn.

Hosting Eurovision on behalf of Ukraine was more than just a music event; it was a statement of solidarity, resilience, and global leadership. As the world grapples with ongoing challenges, Liverpool City Region has emerged as a City that doesn't just watch history unfold but plays a part in shaping it.

The:- 'Eurovision effect' has reinforced the Liverpool City Region's position as a premier global destination, attracting record-breaking tourism. It continues to stage major events like EURO 2028, Radio 1's Big Weekend, The Open Golf Championship and the World Boxing Championships, and solidifying its reputation as a cultural and economic powerhouse.

Despite not ranking in the top 100 Cities globally by population, Liverpool sits among the top 10 most recognised non-capital Cities worldwide. The Eurovision effect has only strengthened that status, elevating the City's brand on the international stage and proving that Liverpool continues to punch well above its weight when it comes to cultural influence.

Liverpool City Region Mayor, Steve Rotheram, said:- "Eurovision wasn't just a music competition it was a statement of solidarity with Ukraine and a testament to Liverpool's global influence. We didn't just host an event; we embraced a cause. 1 year on, the Eurovision effect continues to deliver; boosting our economy, creating jobs, and securing our City Region's position as a place that welcomes the world. But the real legacy of Eurovision isn't just financial; it's the pride, unity, and lasting international partnerships we've built. At a time when global events remind us of the importance of standing together, Liverpool proved that culture isn't just entertainment; it's soft power in action. Our doors remain open to the world, and Eurovision was just the beginning."

Councillor Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, added:- "Liverpool's hosting of Eurovision on behalf of Ukraine redefined the competition. Not only was it our ambition to stage the most successful-ever contest; which we achieved in spades; but from the outset we wanted to make sure there was a lasting legacy of the event, which would continue to benefit Liverpool for years to come. This latest report shows in black and white the value of hosting major events. For 10 days in May 2023, Liverpool shone under the global spotlight, making it a destination people wanted to return to time and time again, or visit for the 1st time. In turn, that boosts our local economy, supports jobs and brings vital footfall to our culture and leisure industries. And of course, seeing what a show this City can put on attracts other opportunities, and securing the likes of Radio 1's Big Weekend and the World Boxing Championships can undoubtedly be attributed to the Eurovision-effect. The City Council has spent more than 20 years investing and building its cultural credentials, understanding the true value of soft power and how transformational it can be, and we look forward to the next phase of our journey which will see us working with all of our neighbouring boroughs to make the City Region an enviable cultural capital."

Liverpool's Director of Culture, Claire McColgan CBE, who is also Assistant Director; Culture for the Liverpool City Region, said:- "Evaluation and learning is always at the heart of everything we do as it informs and shapes future events. Eurovision 2023 remains a standout event for this City and we're still hugely proud or how we worked in partnership with the BBC, the Government, and of course the people of Ukraine, to deliver what is quite rightly regarded as the most successful competition in the event's history. These relationships continue to grow and strengthen, helping to cement Liverpool's reputation as a global leader in major event delivery. As the UK's 1st UN Accelerator City, legacy will take centre stage once again this year, as we commit to introducing environmental innovation where possible in our creative sector, and in doing so ensuring that our major events leave a lasting legacy for our communities."

The research, commissioned by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Liverpool City Council, highlights several key findings:-

• Repeat visitors: 54,417 people who attended Eurovision events returned to Liverpool, making a total of 72,454 additional trips.
  

• Financial impact: These return visits generated £11.1m, adding to the £54.8m impact during the event itself.
  

• Cultural value: The event delivered an estimated £4.6m in cultural benefits to domestic attendees.
  

• Global reputation: Eurovision put Liverpool on the map for major international events, leading to record-breaking visitor numbers in 2023 and a £6.25bn tourism economy; £600m above projected figures.
  

• Pride and community impact: Over 95% of Liverpool City Region residents said they were proud of Liverpool's role as host, reinforcing the event's lasting social value.

Eurovision was just the beginning. Liverpool City Region has established itself as a major global events capital, and with an ever-growing £6.25bn visitor economy, it is ready to welcome the next wave of world-class events, partnerships, and opportunities.

The City that staged:- Eurovision for Ukraine is now preparing to host the world again and again.

Click on these links to see our coverage of Eurovision:- Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5.

Liverpool City Region leads national drive to clean up rivers with ambitious plan for a cleaner Mersey

MAYOR of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, has announced a landmark agreement with United Utilities and the Mersey Rivers Trust to help deliver the Government's national water quality goals and accelerate the clean-up of the River Mersey.

The agreement, in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), builds on the Government's Plan for the Water Sector, aligning with national efforts to tackle pollution and reduce storm overflows, and the Mayor's ambition to deliver a discharge-free Mersey.

The MOU commits the 3 partners to a joint five-year action plan aimed at reducing sewage discharges, improving water quality, and boosting biodiversity across the Liverpool City Region.

It is a collaborative effort to support the Government's Storm Overflows Reduction Plan, which aims to cut discharges by 40% by 2040. In 2023, raw sewage was discharged into England's rivers and seas for over 4 million hours, marking a 129% increase from the previous year. Data from environmental regulators in 2022 reported at least 399,864 instances of untreated sewage being released into UK rivers and coastlines, averaging approximately 1,091 times per day.

Mayor Steve Rotheram said the agreement was an opportunity to demonstrate how national and local leadership can work together to deliver meaningful change:- "The River Mersey is part of who we are; a symbol of our past and our future. We've made huge progress in cleaning up the river over the last 30 years, but now it's time to finish the job. By working together with United Utilities, the Mersey Rivers Trust and the Government, we will accelerate the clean-up of our great river and work towards my ambition of a discharge-free Mersey by 2030. This partnership is about delivering on the Government's national plan while demonstrating how local leadership can help accelerate progress. If we can do this in the Liverpool City Region, we can set a standard for others to follow. Together, we can make the Mersey; and rivers across the country; cleaner, greener, and healthier for future generations."

The Liverpool City Region's approach is designed to support and enhance the delivery of the Government's national targets, while bringing forward faster local action. Under the MOU, the partners will develop a five-year pipeline of projects focused on improving water quality, reducing flood risks, and enhancing biodiversity. These projects will also explore innovative nature-based solutions, such as sustainable drainage systems and natural flood management techniques, to reduce pressure on the sewer network and cut the risk of overflows.

The partnership will work to ensure that local rivers meet and exceed national standards under the Water Framework Directive, supporting the Government's aim for rivers to achieve:- 'Good' ecological status. Additionally, the partners are committed to enhancing public access to the Region's waterways, creating cleaner and safer spaces for communities to enjoy.

Louise Beardmore, Chief Executive Officer of United Utilities, welcomed the agreement and reaffirmed the company's commitment to working in partnership to deliver results:- "We have an ambitious plan, including:- the largest ever investment programme in water and wastewater infrastructure in a century, to transform the Region's waterways and enable the step change people want to see. Our investment to significantly reduce discharges from storm overflows and improve water quality builds on our legacy partnership and founding membership of the Mersey Basin Campaign, which showed what we can achieve when we work together. We care deeply about the River Mersey and will continue to do everything we can to ensure its healthy future. That's why we are fully committed to working in partnership with the Liverpool City Region and Mersey Rivers Trust to deliver transformational improvements that support the Government's goals for the water sector."

John Sanders, Co-Director of the Mersey Rivers Trust, praised the collaborative approach and its potential to build on decades of progress in improving the health of local waterways:- "The Mersey Rivers Trust is proud to be part of this pioneering partnership. Over the years, we've seen the Mersey recover from 1 of the most polluted rivers in Europe to a symbol of environmental regeneration. This agreement ensures that we continue to build on that success, helping to deliver the Government's national water quality goals while making our local rivers cleaner and more accessible for everyone."

The Liverpool City Region's initiative is not only a local project, but a demonstration of how Regional action can help deliver national outcomes. By directly contributing to the targets set out in the Government's Plan for the Water Sector, the partnership aims to serve as a model for other Regions, showing how local leadership, industry collaboration, and community involvement can drive faster progress on water quality.

Mayor Rotheram praised the Government's leadership on water quality and highlighted how local partnerships can help deliver faster results:- "The Government's Plan for the Water Sector is a welcome step forward in protecting our rivers, and I want to make sure that Liverpool City Region is at the forefront of delivering that mission. This isn't about pointing fingers; it's about rolling up our sleeves and working together to solve the problem. With this agreement, we're showing how national ambition, local leadership, and industry action can come together to deliver results faster, for people, communities, and nature."

The agreement between the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, United Utilities, and the Mersey Rivers Trust will also include:- a joint programme of water management projects in collaboration with local authorities, developers, and community organisations.

These projects will align with the Government's objectives for reducing pollution, protecting habitats, and increasing the resilience of water infrastructure to climate change impacts.

The Mayor concluded by inviting other Regions to learn from Liverpool City Region's experience and to contribute to the collective national effort to improve water quality:- "Our ambition is to make the River Mersey a national example of what can be achieved when we work together. We know that the challenge of cleaning up our rivers is not unique to us; communities up and down the country are demanding change. That's why we're not just acting locally, we're sharing what we learn to help drive national progress. By aligning our local ambition with the Government's national plan, we're proving that faster, better outcomes are possible; and that by working together, we can leave a cleaner, healthier environment for generations to come."