Eurovision tickets go on sale today - as speculation grows about the UK's act

Tickets for the Eurovision Song Contest go on sale at midday today, with fans preparing to battle for a seat in Liverpool.

Nine shows in total will be available for fans to watch at the Liverpool ACC, ranging from semi-final dress rehearsals, all the way through to the live grand final on 13 May.

While the Merseyside venue usually holds 11,000 people, it is thought around 6,000 tickets per show will be available, with space being reduced due to the sprawling stage and the production requirements.

Fans will need to buy their tickets on Ticketmaster, and are advised to create an account before they go on sale. Prices will range from £30 to £380 across the nine shows.

Demand is expected to be very high, with millions of people across dozens of countries fighting for a seat.

There will also be a ticket ballot for the 3,000 tickets that have been set aside for Ukrainians living in the UK on visa programmes.

Fans who don't get tickets can still take part in the show, with Liverpool hosting a cultural festival and a Eurovision fan zone, which can hold 25,000 people at the city's Pier Head.

For those lucky enough to bag a ticket, they may hit a stumbling block when it comes to accommodation, with places to stay across Liverpool during Eurovision week selling out almost immediately after the announcement it would be held there.

Who is hosting the show?

The hosting team will include a Ukrainian face in singer Julia Sanina, alongside TV star and singer Alesha Dixon, and Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham.

Graham Norton will also step out from the commentary booth to join the hosts in the final, with Mel Giedroyc replacing him behind the microphone.

Timur Miroshnychenko will be the Ukrainian commentator.

Rumours have been rife in recent weeks about the identity of the UK's act, which will be chosen through an internal selection process - the same as last year.

TaP Music and the BBC will select the UK's representative, and have so far kept quiet on who they might be, ahead of an expected announcement this week or next.

Among those who have been rumoured to be performing include Rina Sawayama, Mimi Webb and Birdy - all former Brit Award nominees and with new music out.

Eurovision week begins on 8 May in Liverpool, with the grand final live show bringing it to an end on 13 May.

-sky news