Eurovision helps bring people together: perceptions of nightlife, entertainment and public health experiences of Eurovision

Abstract Aim Eurovision is a major international competition with a reputation for bringing communities together which to date is largely empirically untested. We examined visitors’ perceptions and experiences of attending Eurovision 2023 (Liverpool, United Kingdom) relating to social cohesion, along with health and safety. Subjects and methods Cross-sectional on-street survey with visitors ( n = 803) to Eurovision 2023. Surveys examined perceptions of social cohesion, experiences of safety, and witnessing/experiencing public health harms (e.g. violence, alcohol intoxication). Results Most participants agreed that Eurovision helps to bring nations together (96.3%) and celebrate different cultures (97.8%). In adjusted analyses, those of white ethnicity were 3.5/4.2 times more likely to agree that Eurovision helps to bring nations together/celebrate cultures ( p < 0.05). Few participants witnessed/experienced public health harms. Most participants agreed that they felt safe on a day/night out during Eurovision (95.2%), with younger people and residents less likely to agree (adjusted odds ratios, 0.22/0.42; ( p < 0.05). Nearly all (96.9%) participants agreed that they would recommend visiting the host city’s nightlife to others, with those feeling safe being 18.6 times more likely ( p < 0.001). Conclusion Hosting Eurovision can have positive social returns for local populations and visitors, including increased social cohesion and celebration of different cultures. In the 2023 host city, visitors felt safe and experienced few public health harms, with positive experiences of the event increasing the likelihood of returning to the host city. Other major events should learn from this international mega-event, which results in high levels of customer satisfaction and comparatively few public health concerns.